Sky Sports pundit makes Leeds United title claim and reveals if they will "run away with it" | OneFootball

The Whites sit at the top of the table heading into the FA Cup third round weekend, despite a 3-3 draw with Hull City on Saturday.

Don Goodman has backed Leeds United to win promotion back to the Premier League at the end of the season as champions, but believes that it will be tight until the conclusion.

The Whites currently sit at the summit of the Championship table, just a point above Burnley in second, while Sheffield United are level with the Clarets, behind only on goal difference.

There is an incredibly exciting and close promotion race occurring in the second tier right now, and Sunderland must not be forgotten as a factor in it after starting 2025 with two wins from two - the only team in the top four to have done so.

Daniel Farke will be hoping, however, that his Leeds team have enough in them to see out the campaign at the top of the pile and secure a return to the Premier League a year after losing in the play-off final to Southampton.

Goodman makes Leeds promotion prediction

The Whites would have been predicted by many to be involved in the race for promotion before a ball was kicked at the very start of the season, and they have been directly involved since the very early weeks.

A stuttering start to the new year has halted their momentum, and brought the chasing pack back towards them, but there will not be any fears for Farke as this has been a pattern for the top four throughout the campaign.

At this moment in time, it seems unlikely that Leeds will run away with the title, and when asked by Plejmo.com if he believes they will, Sky Sports pundit Goodman said: "I still think Leeds will win the title, but will they run away with it? Probably not.

"They don't have a massive cushion at this stage and I had a look at Burnley's next fixtures given that they're on a 13-game unbeaten run. They play Sunderland at home, Plymouth away and Leeds at home in the league."

He continued: "If they can get through those three games unscathed, you'd have to say they'll give Leeds a run for their money. That's because their unbeaten run has included four games against top-six teams and nine against teams in the top-half. It doesn't feel like they're going away anytime soon.

"Whereas Leeds have won three and drawn three from their last six. They're not quite in top gear. If Burnley can get one over Sunderland and Leeds, they're definitely in the title mix."

The January transfer window will dictate how the run-in unfolds

This month will be crucial for the top four, and whoever utilises the transfer market the best will hold the advantage for the final few months of the season.

Leeds have already made it clear where they want to improve, and Middlesbrough's Emmanuel Latte Lath could help guarantee not only promotion, but the league title as well.

According to a report from GiveMeSport on Wednesday, the Whites are serious about their push to sign the striker, despite interest from the Premier League. He has already scored 10 goals in the Championship in 2024/25, despite a slow start to the season.

There has also been plenty of conversation around the future of Illan Meslier, especially after another mistake on Saturday against Hull to allow them a path back into the game. As per Fichajes, Leeds are looking at replacements, and River Plate's Conan Ledesma could be the player to come in and take his place.

Nevertheless, there is still plenty of time left in not only the season, but also the January transfer window before a true favourite shines through in the Championship.