Leeds United suffered an unexpected setback on Sunday with a 1-0 loss to Portsmouth, ending their remarkable 17-game unbeaten run in the Championship. While the defeat was frustrating, especially with some questionable refereeing decisions—most notably the penalty appeal involving Dan James and Matt Ritchie—it was far from a disaster. However, with only 10 games left in the season, Daniel Farke and his squad cannot afford any signs of vulnerability, especially with promotion rivals breathing down their necks.
As things stand, Leeds remain in contention for automatic promotion, but the pressure has increased significantly. Before Tuesday night’s fixtures, Burnley and Sheffield United had the opportunity to overtake them, meaning Leeds could find themselves temporarily in the play-off positions by the time they kick off against Millwall at Elland Road on Wednesday night. After last season’s collapse—where they finished third despite accumulating 90 points—fans are understandably anxious about history repeating itself.
The key question is whether this Portsmouth defeat was a minor blip or the start of a wobble. The performance itself wasn’t disastrous—Leeds created chances and had more of the ball—but their finishing let them down, and a few defensive lapses allowed Pompey to steal all three points. Given their dominance in recent months, however, it’s hard to believe this will derail their momentum entirely.
Ian Darke: No chance of Leeds falling apart
Veteran football commentator Ian Darke has weighed in on Leeds’ situation and remains confident that Farke’s side will not let this loss define their run-in. Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Darke dismissed the idea that the Whites will suffer a collapse similar to last season.
“There’s absolutely no chance at all they take their foot off the gas, you’ve only got to watch them on a weekly basis,” Darke said. “They can see the finishing line, defeats happen, and they should still have the momentum moving forward.”
Darke also addressed concerns about Leeds’ squad depth and whether they should have signed another striker in the January transfer window.
“There was all the talk of whether they needed another striker in January, but Piroe is certainly doing alright, James is still flying, and they’ve just got that collective momentum. They got many of the results they needed, like in the Sheffield United and Sunderland games. I still don’t think there’s any stopping them for promotion before the end of the season.”
If Darke is right, Leeds should bounce back swiftly, but they won’t have it easy against Millwall—one of only two teams to beat them at Elland Road this season.
Millwall’s threat: A familiar banana skin
Leeds fans won’t need reminding that Millwall have already come to Elland Road and won in 2025. That FA Cup victory last month may have come against a rotated Leeds side, but it still proved that Alex Neil’s team is more than capable of upsetting the Whites. Millwall are known for their physicality and defensive resilience, and their ability to frustrate opponents could make Wednesday’s game more difficult than some expect.
Millwall also arrive in good form, having come from behind to beat Watford 2-1 over the weekend. Confidence will be high in their camp, and they will see this as an opportunity to exploit any lingering doubts in Leeds’ squad following the Portsmouth defeat.
That said, Leeds will have a point to prove. This is a team that had gone nearly five months without a league loss, and they won’t want to let one bad result turn into a slump. The Elland Road crowd will be vital in ensuring a strong response, especially if Leeds start the game aggressively.
Farke’s selection dilemma: Stick or twist?
One of the biggest talking points ahead of Wednesday night’s game is whether Farke will make changes to his starting XI. For weeks, Leeds have been largely settled in their selection, with a consistent core of players delivering results. However, with the loss at Portsmouth exposing some flaws, the manager may consider tweaking things.
Up front, Joel Piroe has been in decent form, but Leeds’ attacking output against Portsmouth wasn’t sharp enough. Dan James and Crysencio Summerville have been outstanding this season, but they were both wasteful at Fratton Park. Wilfried Gnonto is an option if Farke wants to freshen things up, while Patrick Bamford could be handed a start if the manager feels a change in approach is needed.
In midfield, Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara have formed a solid partnership, but with Millwall likely to be aggressive and physical, Farke could consider bringing in Ethan Ampadu or Archie Gray to add some bite in the middle of the park. The back four is likely to remain unchanged, with Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk continuing their strong partnership in central defence.
Regardless of the lineup, the key for Leeds will be rediscovering their attacking ruthlessness. At their best, they have been one of the most dangerous teams in the league, scoring freely and overwhelming opponents with their pressing and movement. Against Millwall, they need to impose themselves early and ensure they don’t allow the visitors to settle into the game.
A crucial run of fixtures ahead
With the international break coming up, Leeds have two massive games before a two-week pause in club football. After Millwall, they travel to Loftus Road to face QPR on Saturday—another game they will be expected to win.
Six points from these two fixtures would put them in a commanding position heading into the final stretch of the season. However, anything less could see them dragged into an intense battle for second place, especially with teams like Burnley and Sheffield United finding form.
Farke will no doubt remind his players that their fate is still in their own hands. They have shown resilience throughout the season, and one setback shouldn’t define their campaign. The message will be simple—put the Portsmouth result behind them, return to winning ways, and send a statement to the rest of the division.
Do you think Leeds should stick with their usual lineup for Millwall, or should Farke make a few changes to freshen things up?