Premier League news: Five ways the international break could help Leeds Utd avoid relegation

While the latest round of international fixtures undoubtedly halts the momentum of some in the Premier League, those clubs stuck in a rough patch are sure to embrace the short interval in their campaigns.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Charlie Fawcett looks towards the bottom of the table, taking a deep dive into Leeds United’s current struggles on the pitch and how a break may do them more good than bad.

When Leeds went winless at home for the third consecutive Premier League match, it seemed as though the Whites may be running out of steam at the worst possible time.

Until February, it all felt rosy for Leeds, with survival starting to feel inevitable, but the West Yorkshire side have found themselves stuck in metaphorical quick sand for the past six weeks.

And I for one don’t think there is a club in the entire division that a break is better suited to than Leeds at the moment – here’s why.

1. Rediscovering where the back of the net is

Following back-to-back 0-0 draws, it has now been six hours of Premier League football since Leeds last scored a goal.

With four and a half of those hours taking place at Elland Road, it makes for concerning reading for anyone of a Leeds persuasion.

It seems that the swashbuckling nature that characterised Daniel Farke’s revolutionary back-five set-up has been lost and replaced by a system that has looked extremely stagnant over the past few weeks.

This isn’t necessarily down to fatigue, but it’s hard to imagine that that hasn’t been a factor given the sheer demand put on by the fixture schedule in modern football.

Nonetheless, with many Leeds players being called up to international camps anyway, even a change of pace and scenery could help the West Yorkshire outfit.

2. Squad morale

It is entirely possible that this one could backfire, but the strong Welsh contingent at Elland Road have a crucial week coming up as they attempt to qualify for this summer’s World Cup.

Should Wales get through their two-match play-off tournament, then Karl Darlow, Dan James, Ethan Ampadu, and Joe Rodon would (subject to squad selections) all be going to the World Cup.

Now, admittedly, this occurred the other way back in 2024, when Wales failed to qualify for the Euros, which indirectly derailed Leeds United’s season.

However, should everything work out this time, I see no reason why this can’t work in a positive sense, with the added boost inspiring the Welsh players to push the Whites towards survival.

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3. Momentum drop-off

At their peak this season, it always felt like the momentum was with Leeds and that a good result to keep them ticking over was just around the corner.

However, they are now coming up on a two-month winless run and despite performances being more than acceptable – see the hard fought-draws at Chelsea and Aston Villa – Leeds can’t seem to get over the winning line.

With the game at Crystal Palace yet another example of chances going begging for Leeds, it really does feel like a break may be in order for Farke’s side, just to take away some of the pressure, which continues to pile on in this extraordinary relegation battle, where it appears that one of the teams involved is going to be relegated with a huge points tally.

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4. Momentum halted for those around them

Similar to the previous point, just as Leeds’ downward turn arrived, the sides around them have seen the opposite occur.

This applies best to Nottingham Forest, who picked up a 3-0 victory at Tottenham in their last encounter to take them to just a point below Leeds in the table with seven games still remaining.

It is clear that, regardless of how the teams fluctuate, this race is going to go right down to the wire.

Yet, considering all the teams in the race, I feel that this break suits Tottenham and Leeds as they are the sides that seemingly need this time to regroup the most.

Spurs, remember, are yet to taste victory this calendar year.

Therefore, it does feel that Leeds being granted an opportunity to take a step out of the limelight and its high-pressure occasions, even just for a short while, could be vital for them in terms of achieving survival this campaign.

5. Just reward for impressive performances

Finally, I think it is possible that Leeds players being rewarded for their strong Premier League performances this season may help to breathe life back into the squad for the final stretch.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has landed his first international call-up since 2021 for England after hitting double figures for goals for the first time since that very same year. 

Similarly, midfielder and set-piece specialist Anton Stach has managed a return to the German team for the first time since his maiden call-up in 2022, which shows not only the progress made by the player himself, but the importance of these players staying in the Premier League to keep the eyes of their international coaches upon them.

Ultimately, this keeps them at the very top level of football.

Overall, I think that, although this March international window has derailed many a Leeds side in the past, this year is different.

Rather than wanting to surge and keep momentum flowing, Leeds are looking to kickstart their season.

I for one believe that a gap in the schedule – a reset – is just what the West Yorkshire club needs before the run-in gets into full swing.

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