Burnley, Leeds Make Premier League Return

Leeds United and Burnley are heading back to the Premier League after securing huge victories in the Championship on Easter Monday.

Leeds’ two-year absence from the Premier League is set to end after thumping Stoke City 6-0 at Elland Road, with five of the goals coming in the first half. Meanwhile, Burnley secured an immediate return to the English top-flight with a 2-1 home win at Turf Moor over third-placed Sheffield United – a result that stretched their unbeaten run in the league to 31 games.

Leeds reported a loss of £60.8 million ($81m) during the 2023-24 season, nearly double the amount of the prior campaign when they were relegated from the Premier League.

Next season would have been their last receiving parachute payments, so failure to achieve promotion would have resulted in many players being sold. Daniel Farke’s side have the division’s best attack and Scott Parker’s Burnley, who saw 21 players leave last summer and 15 arrive, have the meanest defence.

To steady the ship in his first season in charge and overhaul Sheffield, who have been in the top two for the majority of the season, takes some doing.

Burnley have broken defensive record after defensive record this season. They are unbeaten at home in the league, made history when they recorded 12 clean sheets in the league in a row, and have conceded just 15 goals in 44 matches.

The record for fewest goals conceded (30) in a Championship season is currently held by Watford (2020-21) and Preston North End (2005-06), so the Clarets are set to smash that feat.

With round 44 of the Championship season now done and dusted, top of the table Leeds take on play-off hopefuls Bristol City next Monday, after Burnley travel to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Both sides have 94 points, so it will be a straight shootout in the final two fixtures to see who lifts the Championship trophy.