Needs, the only English club left in the Champions League, travel to second-placed Arsenal on Saturday for a fixture David O'Leary feels should not be taking place.
I he I eeds coach is angry that the club's most important match I for 26 years - the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Valencia next Tuesday - is preceded by a crucial Premiership clash at Highbury.
Leeds, lying in fourth, are looking to book their place in next season's Champions League with a top three finish, but O'Leary believes the game against the Gunners should be postponed to allow Leeds time to prepare for the Valencia match.
O'I eary has already spoken out against the Football Association (FA), urging them to reduce the size of the Premiership and to cut the number of international matches.
Manchester United managei Sir Alex Ferguson and AisvimI coach Arsene Wenger have often led the call for change and now O'l eary is adding his weight to the argument
"If people want us to do well and if we're to represent the Premier League (in Europe), then the Arsenal game should not be played." slammed O'I .eary.
"Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have been commenting on such things for years, but that's life here.
"II voti ve a European game on the Wednesday and a big league game on the Saturday and then another European game on the Tuesday, then if we re to do well we should not be playing the game on the Saturday.’
O'Leary recalled the tie against Belgian champions Anderlecht in (he second phase when Leeds had a free weekend.
"I know from experience from when we played /Xnderlecht on Wednesday and (hen again the following Tuesday with no game in between (as Leeds were out of (lit* FA Cup' just how much it helped us.
''It proved great preparation. We were able to train on a Saturday and Sunday without (he worry of another match."
Despite the importance of Saturday's Premiership clash. O'Leary may be forced to field a weakened side to keep several players fiesh for the trip to Spain.
"If I've a chance of getting to the (Champions league) final then I will consider resting people for the game with Arsenal, without a doubt. I will take Arsenal on with a better team at another time."
Leeds, who last appeared in a European Cup final back in 1975 (which they lost to Bayern Munich). have 62 points from 35 games, four less than Arsenal, with three games to go.
Liverpool, also competing for a coveted ('hampions League place, are in third, ahead of Leeds on goal difference.
Aston Villa midfielder George Boateng has vowed to settle an old
(Kick-off 1400GMT unless stated):
Saturday: Arsenal v Leeds. Aston Villa v Coventry. Bradford v Middlesbrough. Chelsea v Everton, I^icester v Tottenham, I Tver-pool v Newcastle. Manchester United v Derby. Sunderland v Charlton, West Ham v Southampton
Monday: Ipswich v Manchester City (1900 GMT)
score by relegating Coventry on Saturday.
I he Dutchman moved from Highfield Hoad in a 4.75 million pound (6.65 million dollar) deal more than two years ago
But he still feels promises made to him when he joined the club never materialised - and that his name was "damaged" by his departure.
" The reason they are in trouble is because someone has told Cordon Strachan to sell his best players (Darren) Huckerby, (Noel) Whelan. (Dion) Dublin, (Bobbie) Keane and me," said Boateng.
Anything but a win for ('oven-try at Villa Park will confirm their relegation to the First Division and bring to an end their 3 I wear run in the (op Hight
(Coventry have lo win their last two games against \’illa and al-leady-relegaled Bradlord and hope their rivals slip up il (hey are to retain theii Premiership status.
Manchester City are trying to focus on their biggest match of the season against Ipswich on Monday even though they know the game could become irrelevant.
City will be relegated before a ball is kicked at Portman Hoad if rivals for the drop Derby. Middlesbrough and West Ham manage to win on Saturday.
Wins for the three sides immediately above the relegation zone would put (hem out of City s reach no matter what happens at Ipswich.
Manager Joe Royle is philosophical about his nightmare scenario and he knows City s fate is out of his hands.
"It the worst things happen on Saturday, then Monday is irrelevant," he said