Leeds United could be thanking Leicester City for promotion come the end of May: View | OneFootball

Leeds United's hopes of reaching the Premier League look set to be decided by the play-offs, albeit for a miraculous turn of events on the final day of the Championship season.

Daniel Farke's side suffered a crushing blow to their hopes of automatic promotion last weekend, kicking off the second tier action away to Queens Park Rangers, but coming away from Loftus Road empty-handed with a 4-0 drubbing, offering the opportunity to Ipswich Town to take full advantage and confirming Leicester City's promotion.

The Tractor Boys duly obliged in their midweek clash against Coventry City, emerging victorious at the CBS Arena to move three points clear of the Whites heading into the final day of the season.

Championship table as it stands

The final day of Championship action looks set for a thrilling conclusion at both ends of the table.

Following their win over the Sky Blues, Kieran McKenna's side know a point against Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon would be enough to end their 23-year exile from English football's top flight.

But should they stumble at the final hurdle, Leeds have the opportunity to pounce, but face a potential opponent in the play-off final in Southampton at Elland Road.

Should Farke's side fail to secure second place, they will face whoever finishes in sixth place, which is still yet to be decided.

Just three points separate Norwich City, who travel to Birmingham City on the final day, West Bromwich Albion and Hull City, who face Preston North End and Plymouth Argyle respectively, for a place in the top six.

Leicester City taunts can be used as motivation for Leeds United

Having battled at the summit for much of the campaign, Enzo Maresca's side were crowned champions of the Championship at Deepdale after an impressive first season under the Italian's stewardship.

While the Whites have only themselves to blame for a run of inconsistent results in recent weeks, with the Foxes were keen to rub further salt into the wounds upon confirmation of their promotion.

At the end of February, the two clubs squared off in an enthralling encounter at Elland Road, with the visitors having controlled the game for much of the encounter and led up until the 80th minute thanks to Wout Faes' first half goal.

But three goals in the closing stages from Connor Roberts, a Faes own-goal, and Patrick Bamford sparked wild scenes in West Yorkshire upon the sound of the referee's final whistle.

The Kaiser Chiefs' hit, 'I Predcit a Riot' echoed around the ground, which only continued to add more spice to this recently blossomed rivalry, as did Georginio Rutter's "best team in the league" comments.

But it would ultimately be Leicester who would have the last laugh, not only by being crowned champions of the division, but doing so at Leeds' expense.

At the Foxes end of season awards, footage emerged on social media of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall orchestrating the chant of 'Leeds are falling apart, again', but this could be seen as motivation heading into the final game of the season.

Should Farke's side fall short of automatic promotion, three games is what separates them from an immediate return to the top flight, and they will want to join Leicester in the Premier League, naturally.

While Leeds could become the first team in the division's history to accumulate 90+ points and fail to achieve automatic promotion, that cannot deter them and get them down ahead of a potential play-off campaign.

And despite the celebrations of Leicester hurting at this moment in time, that can be used as motivation to go on and finish the season strongly and send their own message back to the East Midlands club.

Who knows, then, the Foxes taunting could be the catalyst for Leeds' return to the Premier League, and they could be thanking them come the end of this month.