Leeds United are tipped to lose at Brighton this weekend, but their ability to mix it in the Premier League deserves more credit than it’s getting.
Daniel Farke was under surprising scrutiny after achieving one of the best Championship campaigns in history, but retained the backing of Paraag Marathe and the 49ers.
He’s currently repaying their faith with a strong start to life in the Premier League, looking to build on last week’s win vs West Ham with a likewise result at Brighton.
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Chris Sutton predicts another loss for Leeds United
A trip away to Brighton is a tough test for Leeds, as much as they are just a point behind the Seagulls with a goal fewer conceded.
The BBC’s Chris Sutton has issued his prediction for the match, in which he predicts United to come away from the south coast with nothing, losing 2-0 to Fabian Hurzeler’s men.
Chris Sutton has predicted Leeds United will lose at Brighton. (REUTERS/Russell Cheyne)
“Leeds have made a great start and I am pleased for Daniel Farke,” Sutton writes. “He took a lot of stick when he was at Norwich, when I kept hearing how he wasn’t a Premier League manager, but apart from their heavy defeat at leaders Arsenal, his side have been competitive in all of their games so far.
“I am still going with a Brighton win here, though. The Seagulls did not play well when they lost at Manchester United last weekend, then went out of the Carabao Cup at the hands of the Gunners on Wednesday, but they are unbeaten at home so far and I am expecting them to bounce back.”
How many points would Leeds United have if Chris Sutton’s predictions were always right?
It’s no real shock that Sutton expects Leeds to come away with a defeat at Brighton. On their day, they’re a side that can put anyone to the sword at home, having already beaten Manchester City at the AMEX this term.
Sutton has only predicted Leeds to win once this season out of nine games, guessing the 2-1 scoreline against West Ham.
If Sutton held an omnipotence that allowed him the ability to correctly predict fixtures, Leeds would be sitting on a measly seven points:
Fixture Chris Sutton’sprediction Actual result
Everton (H) 1-1 1-0
Arsenal (A) 4-0 5-0
Newcastle United (H) 1-1 0-0
Fulham (A) 2-0 1-0
Wolves (A) 1-0 1-3
Bournemouth (H) 1-2 2-2
Spurs (H) 1-1 1-2
Burnley (A) 0-0 2-0
West Ham (H) 2-1 2-1
As they travel down the AMEX, Leeds are currently on 11 actual points. In Farke’s words, Leeds should be looking at a points tally that matches Sunderland’s impressive heights thus far.
“Would be a bit more relaxed if we’d have achieved the points we deserved, could be 16 or 17 points,” Farke said on Thursday, via the YEP. “The most important thing is that our performance are good, not like we earned points by luck, earned them with hard work and sometimes a bit unlucky.”
Read more: Leeds United predicted XI to face Brighton this Saturday…