Many pundits have tipped Leeds United to go down next season. But former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore reckons the Whites have got what it takes to survive in the Premier League.
Collymore has backed Daniel Farke's team to come 17th. He has predicted Brentford, Burnley and Sunderland to finish in the bottom three. His view on United's prospects differ to Joe Cole, Alan Shearer and Owen Hargreaves, who believe the West Yorkshire club are destined for an immediate Championship return.
As for the other end of the table, Collymore has tipped Liverpool to retain the title. He sees Arsenal finishing in second position, with Manchester City third, Chelsea fourth and Aston Villa fifth.
There is just over a week to go until the Whites begin their league campaign at home to Everton. Chairman Paraag Marathe is acutely aware of the the size of the task facing Farke's team as the club look to re-establish themselves back in the top tier of English football. The US businessman promised to spend every “last penny” in the summer transfer window to increase their hopes of avoiding the drop. They have, so far, spent over £70m in signing seven new players.
“I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be easy . . . there’s an argument to be made that there’s a widening gap [between the Premier League and the Championship],” Marathe told the Financial Times last May. "With all due respect to the other clubs, I think we’re different. We have an opportunity and we have scale that nobody else has."
KICK OFF - Leeds United pre-season guide 2025/26
The countdown is on to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign - and our pre-season guide is the ideal way to prepare for the action ahead.
As well as in-depth analysis and opinion on your club, we turn the spotlight on every team battling for top-flight glory - or simply survival in the toughest league in the world!
Also full fixtures guide so you don't miss a game in what is set to be a thrilling season.
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