Leeds United got off to a running start in the Premier League this week, beating Everton 1-0 at Elland Road.
Leeds United are back in the big time, kicking off their season with a 1-0 win over Everton as Lukas Nmecha scored on his debut.
For Daniel Farke, it might have been an unexpected win, but it’s a win that has given Leeds United quiet optimism for the season ahead.
Up next, Leeds United play Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. It’ll be one of their toughest games of the season and a true test of this new-look Leeds side, which has just added Noah Okafor to its ranks.
On Thursday, Leeds United confirmed the signing of Okafor from AC Milan, who becomes the ninth player to arrive at Elland Road this summer.
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Opta’s expected Premier League table after Leeds United’s win vs Everton
Given the fact that the last six promoted teams have all been relegated in their first season, few outsiders would expect Leeds United to break the mould. But within the fanbase, there are many optimistic that Leeds can indeed break the mould and beat the drop.
And after that win against Everton, many are starting to wonder whether Leeds might even finish quite comfortably, although it remains very early doors yet. That said, Opta’s expected Premier League table has changed massively following the opening rounds of results. Their expected Premier League table actually has Leeds United in 3rd, with an expected points of 2.4.
However, their predicted table remains largely unchanged, backing Leeds United to finish in 18th, with fellow promoted sides Sunderland and Burnley also relegated. After the opening round of fixtures, the actual Premier League table has Leeds in 7th and Arsenal in 6th after they beat Manchester United 1-0 in their opening game.
Current pos. Team Expected pos. Expected pts.
1 Man City 1 2.7
13 Newcastle 2 2.4
7 Leeds 3 2.4
3 Tottenham 4 2.3
11 Chelsea 5 2.1
8 Brighton 6 2.0
4 Liverpool 7 1.7
5 Nottm Forest 8 1.6
2 Sunderland 9 1.5
15 Man Utd 10 1.5
6 Arsenal 11 1.2
19 West Ham 12 1.1
16 Bournemouth 13 1.1
17 Brentford 14 1.0
9 Fulham 15 0.7
12 Crystal Palace 16 0.7
18 Burnley 17 0.5
14 Everton 18 0.5
10 Aston Villa 19 0.3
20 Wolves 20 0.2
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What the pundits are saying about Leeds United this season?
It’s still too early to gauge where Leeds United might place in the Premier League this season. But the Whites will simply have to hope that there are enough teams they can drag into the mix to give themselves a chance of staying afloat.
Sunderland and Burnley will no doubt be expected to be in and around the drop zone come May. Potentially along with West Ham, Wolves and maybe even Brentford, who many are tipping to struggle this season.
Meanwhile, pundit Stephen Warnock has tipped Leeds United to beat the drop this season, predicting that West Ham, Sunderland and Burnley will be relegated.
And Rio Ferdinand has predicted Leeds United to finish in 19th place of the Premier League table this season. He wants to see his former team beat the drop, but Ferdinand suggests that the gulf in class is just becoming too much for promoted teams.
Leeds United’s game against Arsenal kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday.