The September break is edging towards a close and Leeds United are preparing for a four-game stint before the October international break, starting with a trip to Fulham on Saturday.
On the face of it, it has been a solid start from Daniel Farke’s side. All the pre-season concern over Farke’s suitability based on his Norwich spell in the Premier League do not seem to have affected the German.
Leeds sit on four points. A win against Everton, a draw against Newcastle and a hammering at Arsenal. Two clean sheets, impressive early form from Anton Stach and Gabriel Gudmundsson, there are positives.
Fans should be delighted, on the face of it. But the concern of a 5-0 drubbing, defeat in the Carabao Cup at Sheffield Wednesday and the failure to sign Harry Wilson or Facundo Buonanotte has fans worried.
Daniel Farke during Leeds' friendly against Milan.
Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
How Leeds compare to Marcelo Bielsa’s side after three games
Leeds sit in 12th place with their four points after three games, two of which came against two of the Premier League’s Champions League sides. The next four seem a touch easier to go and win points.
Leeds face Fulham and Wolves away, then Bournemouth and Tottenham at home. Leeds are looking to establish themselves as a newly-promoted side, like Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds in 2020-21 after promotion.
After three games in the 2020-21 season, Leeds had secured two wins and lost narrowly at Anfield. The 4-3 defeat in front of a fan-less Anfield was a real positive for Leeds and Bielsa’s system in September 2020.
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That season, Leeds would then beat Fulham by the same scoreline. Bielsa’s style instantly catching the eye among Premier League fans, before a late Patrick Bamford header saw Leeds beat Sheffield United, 1-0.
Marcelo Bielsa during a game between Leeds and Stoke.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
How did Leeds fare across their next four games under Bielsa?
Leeds are now on the road for two games, taking on a Fulham side that boasts a certain Harry Wilson, as well as Wolves. A team Leeds are expected to fight in the scrap to avoid relegation come May next year.
Under Bielsa, Leeds would go on to pick up just four points from their next four games, losing to Wolves and Leicester, drawing against Man City and a 3-0 win over Villa, thanks to a Patrick Bamford hat-trick.
Bielsa’s next four results vs Farke’s next four predicted
Game Result Game Predicted
Man City (H) 1-1 D Fulham (A) 1-1 D
Wolves (H) 0-1 L Wolves (A) 1-2 W
Villa (A) 0-3 W Bournemouth (H) 1-1 D
Leicester (H) 1-4 L Tottenham (H) 0-2 L
Total: 4/12 Total: 5/12
Farke will hope for more than four points from the next four games, with Leeds needing six to match the 10 Bielsa managed after his first seven Premier League games. A win at Wolves would be a big statement.