Leeds United have long desired a return to the top division of English football. They have come close on several occasions, while other seasons have seen them seemingly slip further away from that goal.
Many managers have arrived at Elland Road and attempted to oversee a grand return to the Premier League with the Whites, but to no avail so far. But the club's latest coach, the highly regarded and vastly experienced Marcelo Bielsa, is edging closer and closer to that potential feat this current campaign.
The Whites are now regarded as the 15/8 front runners with bet365 in the football betting to earn a successful playoff bid and make a long-awaited return to the Premier League.
Bielsa will need to negotiate a testing tie against Frank Lampard's Derby County in their semi-finals clash first before even thinking of moving up divisions. After that, if they are victorious, then Leeds will face either Aston Villa or West Bromwich Albion.
While Leeds are seen as the favourites to secure playoff promotion, Lampard's Rams are available as the biggest 5/1 outsiders to achieve this feat. Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, the Baggies are 4/1 to get promoted, with Villa being the second-favourites at 9/4. Bookmakers clearly see a Leeds versus Villa final being the most likely outcome at Wembley for the most expensive game in football.
Leeds have not graced the English top flight since 2004 and it has been a long and arduous wait to return to the elite level for passionate supporters. Bielsa has the fans not only dreaming of that desired return but actually believing.