Leeds Utd: The next few games are going to be tough for Leeds Utd
Football Manager 2026 predicts how Leeds United will fare against the likes of Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Chelsea over the next month.
Leeds United are heading into one of the most challenging periods of their season as they look to create some breathing space between themselves and the Premier League relegation zone.
The Whites are currently sitting four points and two places above the bottom three following last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion and they face a crucial weekend as they face another away day against a Nottingham Forest side currently four points from safety.
It has to be said there are some daunting fixtures lying in wait after the visit to the City Ground as Daniel Farke’s men face home games with Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as an away day against a Manchester City side containing the ever prolific Erling Haaland.
But how are the Whites predicted to fare throughout the run of games? We fire up the newly released Football Manager 2026 to see how the world’s most popular management simulation predicts the Whites over the next month.
Nottingham Forest 1-3 Leeds United
The Whites went into their visit to the City Ground knowing a win would be a double boost as a win would improve their own hopes of survival and increase Forest’s troubles in the Premier League. Farke’s men made the perfect start as Anton Stach fired home from a Dan James cross on three minutes before the Wales winger doubled the lead with quarter of an hour remaining. Omari Hutchinson reduced the arrears for Forest with three minutes remaining but any doubt over the destination of the points was ended when Jayden Bogle raced forwards from right-back before sending a powerful drive beyond Matz Sels.
Leeds United 2-1 Aston Villa
Leeds United claimed a 2-1 win against Aston Villa in our Football Manager 2026 simulation of the Whites next five fixtures (photo Sports Interactive)placeholder image
Leeds United claimed a 2-1 win against Aston Villa in our Football Manager 2026 simulation of the Whites next five fixtures (photo Sports Interactive) | Sports Interactive
Another big win was secured at Elland Road as Farke’s men edged out Villa with a determined display. Willy Gnonto fired the Whites in front on the quarter-hour mark before Stach was amongst the goals once again as the big German midfielder headed home after he was found by a James cross. Ollie Watkins set nerves on edge for the home faithful when he got Villa back into the game with five minutes remaining - but Leeds held on for a hard-earned win.
Manchester City 4-1 Leeds United
This was always going to be a tough assignment - and, of course, Leeds-born Erling Haaland scored for City. In fact, the prolific frontman scored either side of half-time before summer signing Rayan Cherki also grabbed a brace to take Pep Guardiola’s men out of sight. A late Rico Lewis own goal was a mere consolation for the Whites.
Leeds United 2-1 Chelsea
Leeds United beat Chelsea in our simulation of the Whites next five Premier League fixtures (photo Sports Interactive)placeholder image
Leeds United beat Chelsea in our simulation of the Whites next five Premier League fixtures (photo Sports Interactive) | Sports Interactive
Probably the most impressive win of the season so far and unquestionably the most dramatic. Summer signing Jaka Bijol headed the Whites in front nine minutes into the second half and that appeared to have put the Whites on their way to a big three points on their home patch. However, a Cole Palmer free-kick got Chelsea back on level-terms in the fifth minute of injury-time. There was to be one final decisive moment and it fell the way of the Whites as Pascal Struijk came off the bench to head home from a corner and hand it side all three points.
Leeds United 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool beat Leeds in our Football Manager 2026 simulation of the Whites next five fixtures (photo Sports Interactive)placeholder image
Liverpool beat Leeds in our Football Manager 2026 simulation of the Whites next five fixtures (photo Sports Interactive) | Sports Interactive
Leeds were unable to build on that dramatic win against the Blues as they welcomed reigning champions Liverpool to Elland Road. Just one goal decided the contest and it fell the way of the visitors as Mo Salah linked with Conor Bradley before putting Arne Slot’s side in front with less than a minute on the clock and that was enough to send all three points back to Merseyside.
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