The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 22nd April) - Go for it against Bournemouth or have half an eye on Wembley?
Good Morning. It's Wednesday 22nd April, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Go for it or have half an eye on Wembley?
Tonight’s trip to the Vitality Stadium will be no walk in the park. Bournemouth are on an extraordinary run of 13 Premier League games unbeaten. Just ten days ago they went to the Emirates and beat Arsenal 2-1, a result that underlined just how dangerous they can be. This is not a side that will do Leeds any favours. Remarkably, despite their run, Bournemouth haven't won a home league game since January, so it wouldn’t be a total surprise if Leeds could nick something. Leeds are also unbeaten in eight consecutive away games in all competitions, a run stretching back to St James' Park in January.The big question is whether Farke rotates with Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley looming large. It's a fascinating tactical quandary, do you go for it and try to secure a future in the Premier League, or do you look after key bodies? Farke has set the team out to start off positively in the last two games, it’d brought results, and you'd back him to name a strong side and go for it given the momentum. But would you be surprised to see one or two familiar faces rested with Wembley in mind?
Is Noah Okafor our most important player right now?
There's a strong case to be made that Noah Okafor is the most important player at Leeds right now. The former AC Milan man has scored five goals in his last five league games, including a brace in the famous 2-1 win at Old Trafford. Both of Leeds' away league wins this season have come in matches where Okafor has been on the scoresheet. In a team built on hard work and organisation, Okafor may have had his work rate questioned in the past, but he is the one providing the moments of genuine quality that are turning draws into wins.Farke clearly sees the danger in letting Okafor get carried away, though. The German was measured in his praise this week, urging the Swiss forward to stay "humble and hungry" and reminding him that the attacking players need to think beyond goals and assists; pressing, workload off the ball, helping the wing-backs. It's the kind of man-management that suggests Farke is determined not to let his hot streak go to his head. Whether it's a quiet warning or simply good coaching, it tells you Okafor is now central enough to the team that keeping his head in the right place matters. Is Okafor one of your first names on the team sheet right now?
How many more points do we actually need?
On paper, Leeds are in a very comfortable position. The Whites sit on 39 points, eight clear of Tottenham in 18th place. No side in Premier League history has ever been relegated after reaching 39 points by matchday 33, so statistically it's virtually done. Opta currently gives Leeds just a 0.43% chance of relegation following the win over Wolves, which is about as close to zero as it gets. With five games remaining, you'd think a single point from the trip to Bournemouth or at home game against Burnley would be enough to make it official. Realistically, 40 or 41 points should be the magic number.The real question is whether the teams below us can make a late charge. Spurs have taken just six points from their last 15 matches and have still not won a Premier League game in 2026. Under Roberto De Zerbi, they led Brighton 2-1 before Leeds old boy Georginio Rutter broke Spurs hearts with a stoppage-time equaliser, leaving them two points behind West Ham with five games to play. Overhauling an eight-point gap in that time would be a near-miracle given their form, and West Ham haven't been convincing enough themselves to suggest they can do it either. Leeds still have to face both of them before the end of the season, but hopefully we'll have done enough by then to make both games a formality.