Leeds United would benefit in the automatic promotion race if Bolton Wanderers are wound up at the High Court on Wednesday, according to a journalist.
TEAMtalk editor James Marshment explained how Leeds would close the gap on top-two rivals Norwich City and Sheffield United in terms of goal difference, rather than points.
He detailed how all three clubs have beaten administration-threatened Bolton home and away, but Leeds’ wins were by one-goal margins, while the Canaries and Blades had enhanced their goal difference with big wins.
Goal difference, however, will as Sheff Utd and Norwich have both enjoyed big wins against them this season, whereas Leeds (1-0 and 2-1) haven’t
— James Marshment (@marshyleeds) March 19, 2019
OPINION
With a takeover of Bolton now off the cards, there is a very realistic prospect of a winding-up order petition in the High Court succeeding. It could lead them to going into administration and all results against them in the Championship this season declared null and void. The shake-up would not have a dramatic effect on how the top of the table looks, but an important spin-off is how the goal differences of the three leading clubs would be affected. Norwich’s goal difference would be cut from +29 to +24 after 3-2 and 4-0 wins over Bolton this season. Second-placed Sheffield United’s goal difference would be reduced from +30 to +25 after 3-0 and 2-0 victories over the Trotters. By contrast, Leeds’ goal difference would go from +24 to +22, leaving just a short difference between them and their top-two rivals. With the three clubs so closely placed, in the final analysis it could be the difference between automatic promotion or not.