Leeds United remain above the dreaded dotted line ahead of Sunday’s return to Premier League action - and the bookies have made a fresh call as to whether the Whites will stay there.
Daniel Farke’s side will resume action after the year’s final international break with Sunday’s visit of sixth-placed Villa, ahead of which Leeds still just about have their necks above water.
United created a six-point cushion back to the bottom three with October’s 2-1 victory at home to West Ham but disappointing defeats at Brighton and Nottingham Forest have left Leeds fifth-bottom and just one point clear of the dropzone.
Farke’s side are one point ahead of both fourth-bottom Burnley and third-bottom West Ham who themselves are one point ahead of second-bottom Forest. There is then a seven-point gap back to bottom-of-the-table Wolves who already have a mountain to climb under new boss Rob Edwards.
With Leeds also level on points with 15th-placed Fulham and only one point behind 14th-placed Everton, just five points separate the other five teams in the division’s bottom six and Newcastle United are only another point above them.
It’s a close call - as is the bookies’ new predicted final Premier League table and fresh verdict on where Leeds now finish. Here, based on the very latest title and then relegation odds, is how the bookmakers think the final standings will now look.
17. 16th: Nottingham Forest
Title odds: 2500-1 (with six firms). Relegation odds: 7-2. | Getty Images
18. 17th: Leeds United (safe, just)
Title odds: 2500-1 (with six firms). Relegation odds: 7-4 (with two firms but now as short as 11-8 with others). | Getty Images