That’s impressive considering how early in the season their fate appeared to be sealed.
The Owls are aware that they will play championship football the next season if they win at Sunderland on Saturday.
Leeds is well aware that they will almost certainly make the playoffs, but they still need to defeat Southampton at home in case Huddersfield Town manages an extremely implausible comeback against Ipswich Town.
The Terriers have given up on preventing relegation because they don’t think a goal differential miracle will force the corruption unit to take action.
Relegation can occasionally lead to a release and an unexpected victory, but thus far all it has released is a toxic atmosphere that is concerning. Coach Andre Breitenreiter has accused the players of having bad attitudes during what may be his last pre-game press conference, which he took over in February.
Leeds has to settle down following a crushing 4-0 loss at Queens Park Rangers and make sure that, should their season continue, they carry some confidence into extra time, regardless of Ipswich’s outcome.
If Hull, who are at Plymouth, consider the play-offs to be the ultimate goal, then Leeds should view them as a booby prize following a fiercely contested three- (and occasionally, four-) way promotion campaign.
Goal differential makes Birmingham’s visitors, Norwich City, unbeatable; therefore, the Tigers need to triumph at Home Park and hope that struggling West Bromwich Albion loses to Preston North End at home.
In the early part of the season, when it appeared unlikely that they would not already be relegated, the Owls would have cheerfully embraced all of this worry.
They started with six points from 17 games, but after a management change that saw the unfortunate Xisco Munoz fired after 10 games and replaced by rookie Danny Rohl, they now have 50 from 45.
The somewhat motley crew has been shaped by Rohl. Munoz was thrown into a cohesive team that played a demanding and, as of late, more adaptable brand of football. They have defeated West Brom and Blackburn Rovers handily in their last two games, so they have little reason to be afraid of Sunderland, a team whose season is long gone.
“We worked so hard and we improved so much,” Rohl says. “In my opinion, we accomplished a great deal to reach this stage.
“I’m really pleased with how we’ve handled all of our difficulties and obstacles.
“I’m relaxed right now, but maybe before kickoff I’ll feel a little more nervous. You may be concerned if throughout a training week you notice that the athletes are not focused, but their thinking and mentality are really strong.
“I’m really looking forward to this big opportunity to raise my arms in the air and say job done.”
Despite the odds against them, Leeds boss Farke is optimistic, stating: “We know that there’s more like a small chance to take the automatic promotion places but as long as there is a chance, we got for it.”
1,700 fans have traveled to see the games, and many coaches leave at 2 a.m. to arrive in time for the 12.30 kickoff, which will feature simultaneous play.
Player sales will most likely result from Hull missing the play-offs since they have made significant investments to get here in a time when financial fair play is regarded much more seriously.
Coach Liam Rosenior said, “I’m thinking, ‘Please don’t let this be our last Thursday,’ as I look out at training.” “I enjoy the company of this group so much and that has to be the motivation for us – stick together as long as possible.”
If Hull advances, on May 12 they might play home to Leeds in the first leg of the semi-final. But first, there are a few ifs and buts to work out.
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