Leeds United out, the myth of form and why Norwich should be on alert

If we take the last six games of the Championship play-off contenders, it shows a combined total of eight wins from the 24 games played. Eight!

For context, the last four teams in the Championship have won seven in the same period and lost the same number of defeats, 11. It’s a staggering statistic that doesn’t befit the nervous and exciting play-off battle that is set to follow. Championship form leaves more questions than answers when it comes to who is best placed in the end-of-season shootout?

With just one win and four points taken from a possible 18, Leeds United head into the play-offs in their worst run of form yet start as clear promotion favourites. The old adage that form is temporary and class is permanent, which the Whites fans will be clinging to and clearly how the bookmakers see things ahead of the first semi-final fixtures.

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Norwich may have lost their final game of the regular campaign, but an unbeaten run before that and nine points taken from 18 available shows they have enough momentum behind them to underline their credibility as potential Wembley winners and send a warning message over the bow of the good ship Leeds.

Southampton, with three wins and three defeats, are a model of inconsistency, a factor that has plagued them for more than six games, and West Brom will be hoping to take advantage despite winning just two of their last six, while earned seven points out of 18. possible.

So what can we learn from a book of forms that seems more Stephen King than Jane Austen? The lesson is one well trodden in these parts, hope for the best and expect anything when it comes to the championship!

Leeds United have the quality, they have big players who can win a game at a moment’s notice and they pose more of those threats than any of their rivals. Leeds’ form isn’t great but, as is evident above, neither are their other three promotion rivals. And if everyone is pretty much equal in that regard, then it might just come down to who has the highest quality to get the job done. If that’s the case, back against Leeds on your own!