How many points Leeds United need to guarantee Premier League survival - and when they can do it
Leeds United are within touching distance of securing their Premier League place for the 2026/27 season.
It’s full focus on Premier League survival for Leeds United following their 1-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.
The Whites failed to give their fans a goal to celebrate at Wembley for the fourth consecutive game, with a first-half Enzo Fernandez header proving decisive. Daniel Farke’s side made history in reaching a first FA Cup semi-final since 1987 but the journey ended there.
They must overcome the disappointment of failing to make a final quickly, with the priority of securing Premier League survival not yet secured. Leeds have enjoyed a great recent run of form, taking nine points from an unbeaten five games, but remain just about in the relegation conversation.
Below, the YEP takes a look at what Leeds still need to do to mathematically guarantee Premier League survival - and when they can do it, with no one wanting this to stretch on until the final weekend.
How many points do Leeds United need to survive?
Due to their weekend FA Cup commitments, Leeds played their 34th league game on Wednesday last week, with a dramatic 2-2 draw at Bournemouth coming courtesy of substitute Sean Longstaff’s 97th-minute leveller. That result took them onto the hallowed 40-point mark.
But there were twists aplenty over the weekend. Nottingham Forest thumped Sunderland 5-0 to move onto 39 points, while West Ham beat Everton and Tottenham won 1-0 at Wolves. Spurs are currently 18th on 34 points, with Leeds three places and six points further on.
With four games remaining, Tottenham could theoretically pick up 12 more points and in doing so, would likely overturn the three-goal goal difference Leeds currently hold. In such a case, Farke’s side would need to pick up seven points against Burnley, Brighton and West Ham - under the presumption they lost at Spurs.
That is the absolute worst-case scenario for Leeds, however, and with just four games remaining that demand will lean heavily towards the Whites with each positive result. If Farke’s side were to win at Tottenham, for example, things would sway hugely in their favour with Spurs therefore able to get a maximum of 43 - the tally Leeds would be on with that win in North London.
Leeds could take a huge step towards safety even earlier, however, with a win at home to Burnley on Friday taking them on to 43 - a total no team has ever been relegated with in a 20-team Premier League. Should they win and Tottenham lose at Aston Villa on Sunday, Farke’s side would be nine points clear with a superior goal difference nine points left to play for.
When could Leeds United secure Premier League safety?
Such is the mindset of the Leeds fanbase, few will be looking ahead to the summer until relegation is mathematically impossible. That could happen relatively soon though, with little room for Tottenham error.
As already mentioned, a win for Leeds against Burnley and defeat for Tottenham at Aston Villa on Sunday would open up a nine-point gap with just nine points to play for. In that instance, Farke’s side could guarantee their Premier League status for another season with either a draw or victory at Spurs on Monday, May 11.
A result of any kind in North London would actually guarantee survival so long as Leeds head to Tottenham with at least a seven-point cushion, which can be achieved by bettering their rivals’ result this weekend - a Leeds win and Tottenham draw or Leeds draw and Tottenham defeat.
Even if Spurs match or better a Leeds draw vs Burnley over the course of this weekend, the Whites can still secure their safety with a victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Defeat for Leeds on Friday and a Tottenham win on Sunday would delay things until the following weekend at the earliest.