The following five games between Leeds United and Championship promotion rivals

When the Whites return from the October international break, they’ll aim to close the gap with the leading group.

Following back-to-back triumphs over Bristol City and Queens Park Rangers, Daniel Farke’s Leeds United are now very much back in the promotion race. Following their 3-0 victory over Watford in September, the Whites appeared to have regained their composure after a shaky start.

Georginio Rutter was playing brilliantly, and United had won four straight games. However, a disastrous defensive performance at Southampton put Leeds behind three goals by halftime. After a lengthy journey to the south coast, defender Pascal Struijk’s innate consolation goal would be the only thing to show for it.

In an inconsistent Bristol City club and a failing QPR team, Farke’s team needed six points to stay up with high-flying Leicester City and Ipswich Town. Livewire Crysencio Summerville’s lone goal was sufficient to defeat Gareth Ainsworth’s Hoops, and goals from Dan James and big-name summer addition Joël Piroe sealed the double header.

Prior to Saturday’s match, there was a lot of discussion over Farke’s usage of sharpshooter Piroe, specifically his positioning of the striker in the ten role behind Georginio Rutter. However, the German manager adhered to his principles, and the former Swansea star scored a crucial winner for the Whites after the break.

“It is the first time in a while that we are there with back-to-back wins in the league,” Farke told LUTV. “And also the third home game in a row with a win so we know that we are in a really good shape in September and October, apart from the first half at Southampton. There is space for improvement in using the chances more effectively and we will work on this.

“It is also important now to calm the load a little bit down in the next days and from the middle of next week to concentrate with the lads who are available who have stayed here to work on these topics to be ready for when we have to go to Norwich.”

Following the international break, it is a return to similar surroundings for Farke after enjoying four years in Norfolk, where he guided the Canaries to two EFL Championship titles.

Norwich started the campaign off in fine form but have misfired somewhat of late, losing four of their last seven in the league including a 6-2 dismantling at the hands of Plymouth Argyle. A familiar adversary in the dugout awaits the Whites in former Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner.

The German’s former employers then visit Elland Road for what will be a feisty West Yorkshire derby shortly after Leeds’ trip to Stoke City. Since Darren Moore took over from veteran boss Neil Warnock, the Terriers have tightened up at the back but still struggled for goals and, despite the occasion, Farke’s side should have more than enough firepower at their disposal to dispatch their local rivals.

Before the next international break, Leeds has two more games at Elland Road against leaders Leicester City and Plymouth Argyle.

Leicester City will take on Enzo Maresca under the lights this Friday night in an attempt to improve on their dramatic season-opening display. It appears to be the toughest matchup yet. With only three points lost thus far, the pursuing group won’t have much cause for optimism moving forward. Their upcoming matches are with Middlesbrough, QPR, and Swansea City. The 2015–16 Premier League winners do, however, host Sunderland at the King Power Stadium a little more than a week before to that Leeds game.

If reports are to be accepted, Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham City will surprise Ipswich Town in this year’s EFL Championship.

When Preston North End hosts Millwall at Deepdale after the break, manager Ryan Lowe will be hopeful that the Lilywhites’ current three-game losing streak will end. The Lancashire team has a winnable schedule until they visit rival Blackburn Rovers on November 10. Only time will tell if they are the real deal or have only flattered to impress thus far.

The international window has arrived at a perfect moment for Sunderland and Birmingham City, who are both trying to get their act together. The Black Cats are heading into the break after losing badly to Middlesbrough, their local rivals, 4-0 at home, while the Blues are still pursuing manager Wayne