Since December, Leeds United’s season has started to take clearer shape. The early months of the campaign were about adjusting to life back in the Premier League, but the period after Christmas has been about digging in, showing character and picking up the kind of points that keep you in the division. With 12 games left to play, Leeds sit on 30 points and around 15th place in the table. It is not a comfortable position, but it is a workable one.
Form since December has been mixed, yet there are signs of growth. Leeds have not suddenly turned into a free scoring side, nor have they become watertight at the back. What they have shown is resilience. There have been matches where they have had to defend deep and grind out results, and others where they have had to come from behind to earn something from the game. That fighting spirit has been important in keeping their heads above the relegation zone.
The standout moment of this recent run was the comeback away at Chelsea. Leeds found themselves two goals down and staring at defeat. In the past, that might have been the point where confidence drained and the game slipped away. Instead, they kept going. They showed belief, pressed higher up the pitch and were rewarded with two goals that secured a 2 – 2 draw. That single point moved them onto 30 for the season and felt bigger than just a draw. It sent a message that this side is not ready to fold under pressure.
Thirty points with 12 matches to go gives Leeds a platform. It does not guarantee safety, but it means they are not in immediate danger. Usually, teams look at the forty point mark as the target for survival. Leeds still have work to do to reach that number, but they do not need miracles. A handful of wins and a few draws from the remaining fixtures could be enough. The key will be consistency. One good result means little if it is followed by two poor performances.
The mood around the club has also been shaped by events elsewhere in the league. This week both Tottenham and Nottingham Forest decided to sack their managers. That kind of upheaval shows how tense the situation has become in the lower half of the table. Clubs are looking over their shoulders and fearing a slide into the bottom three. When teams around you start making big changes, it can either increase pressure or provide reassurance. For Leeds, it is a reminder that other sides are struggling too.
Tottenham parting ways with their manager underlines how tight the table is. Forest doing the same shows that no club feels safe. Leeds, by contrast, have stuck with their plan and tried to build gradually. That stability could prove valuable in the final weeks of the season. While other teams adjust to new voices and new tactics, Leeds can focus on improving what they already have.
On the pitch, the balance of the team since December has been clear. They are at their best when they play with energy and directness. When they press with intensity and move the ball quickly, they cause problems. The comeback at Chelsea was built on that attitude. When they drop too deep or lose confidence in possession, they invite pressure and make life harder for themselves.
Defensively, there is still room for improvement. Leeds have conceded goals that could have been avoided, especially from set pieces and quick transitions. Cleaning that up will be crucial in the run in. At the same time, the squad has shown it can create chances. The challenge now is turning those chances into goals more regularly. Tight matches often decide who stays up and who goes down.
With 12 games remaining, every fixture takes on extra importance. Matches against teams around them in the table will feel like six point contests. Winning those games could quickly create breathing space. Losing them could drag Leeds back into the thick of the fight. The players will know that momentum can shift quickly at this stage of the season.
Overall, Leeds are in a decent position given where they were a few months ago. Thirty points is a solid base. They are outside the bottom three and have shown they can compete, even against strong opposition. The comeback at Chelsea may turn out to be a turning point, not just because of the point gained but because of the belief it created.
The final stretch will test their nerve. Other clubs are changing managers and searching for quick fixes. Leeds must rely on togetherness and steady progress. If they can carry the spirit shown since December into the remaining 12 matches, they have a strong chance of securing their place in the Premier League for another season.