Leeds United have a major advantage over Ipswich Town in the race for promotion to the Premier League

Leeds United could rely on their superior goal difference to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League this season.

Daniel Farke’s side are currently second in the Championship despite suffering a shock 4-0 defeat at 17th-placed Queens Park Rangers on Friday night.

The Whites are closely followed by third-placed Ipswich Town, with Kieran McKenna’s side also dropping points against play-off contenders Hull City. The match ended 3-3 at the MKM Stadium on Saturday night, with the Tractor Boys taking the lead on three separate occasions before failing to secure victory.

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Both teams are on 90 points in the race to secure the final automatic promotion spot after Leicester City propelled themselves back into the top flight of English football without kicking a ball. The only thing that separates the two sides? Goal difference. Having scored 81 goals and conceded 41 in the 45 games played so far this season, Leeds currently have a goal difference of 39.

Ipswich, meanwhile, were more prolific in front of goal with 88 disposals but more susceptible at the back after conceding 56 in their 44 outings. Leaving them with a goal difference of 32.

McKenna’s side have a game in hand on Leeds at present, but even allowing for that, Ipswich face an uphill battle to close the nine-goal gap between the two figures. Meaning, if both sides finish level on points at the end of the season, Leeds would return to the dizzying heights of the Premier League on goal difference.

A final test of the season against Southampton now awaits Leeds. Russell Martin’s side are currently fourth and could be looking to rest their players ahead of the play-offs – given they can’t catch third-placed Ipswich and hold an 11-point lead points ahead of fifth-placed Norwich City.

Coventry City and relegation battlers Huddersfield Town mark the final two games of the season for McKenna’s men – the race for second place going into the final day of the season this time around.

Should the teams also finish level on goal difference, goals scored will count – which would likely see Ipswich promoted. If this figure is also the same, head-to-head registration is considered. Leeds have won both meetings between the two sides this season, with a 4-0 victory at Elland Road in December and a dramatic 4-3 victory away from home in August.