Leeds United have started to turn their form around in the Championship after a poor start to the campaign that saw them pick up just a single win from their opening five games.
A comfortable win away to Millwall was followed by a draw to Hull City and then another comfortable win at home to promotion rivals Watford, and Daniel Farke’s men now find themselves sitting in sixth spot in the league and looking up rather than looking down.
Here is a look ahead to Leeds’ next six fixtures, as Football FanCast predicts how they’ll fare in the coming weeks…
Date | Competition | Opposition | H/A |
|---|---|---|---|
30th September | Championship | Southampton | A |
4th October | Championship | Queens Park Rangers | H |
7th October | Championship | Bristol City | H |
21st October | Championship | Norwich City | A |
25th October | Championship | Stoke City | A |
28th October | Championship | Huddersfield | H |
Southampton v Leeds
Russell Martin’s Southampton suffered a bruising 4-1 home defeat to promotion rivals Leicester City last week, who scored within 21 seconds of the match.
The damning result followed up a dreadful away showing at the Stadium of Light, which saw them ship five goals to Tony Mowbray’s Sunderland.
So, as a result, many aren’t too hot on their early predictions that had the Saints in the top two and instead, it could be the away side who are more favoured for the automatic spots.
Leeds certainly have the attacking talent to punish Southampton should they display defensive frailties once more but equally, the hosts are more than capable of finding the back of the net themselves.
All things considered, it points towards a high-scoring affair…
Prediction: Southampton 2-2 Leeds
Leeds v QPR
The Hoops are being widely tipped to suffer the drop this term and have already lost four of their opening six games, so it could be a fruitful afternoon for Leeds’ exciting front four.
The last time these sides played one another was in January 2020, in a game that saw QPR emerge with a 1-0 victory at home. In fact, Leeds have only won one of the last four meetings between these two teams – a 2-0 home victory in November 2019.
That said, the West Yorkshire side are certainly well-placed to break that trend.
Prediction: Leeds 3-1 QPR
Leeds v Bristol City
Leeds play host to the Robins on the first Saturday of October.
Led by former Leicester City and Watford manager Nigel Pearson, Bristol City have cemented themselves as a solid Championship outfit over the last few years, so the pressure will now be to mount a play-off push.
They’ve kicked off their account with two wins, three draws and one loss, so it’s been a pretty mixed start by all accounts.
The pair last met in February 2020, when Leeds secured a 1-0 home victory on their way to the Championship league title.
There is little doubt that the quality lies with Farke’s side, but City’s resilient and structural approach could frustrate the division’s new boys, and they’ll be dangerous in transition.
Prediction: Leeds 1-1 Bristol City
Norwich City v Leeds United
The Canaries have started the season tremendously well, winning four of their opening six games, leaving them in fourth place.
20-year-old Jonathan Rowe has been electric, netting four goals in six outings and could be the dangerman for Leeds to look out for.
The last meeting between the pair came in the Premier League 18 months ago and it was the Whites who came away victors, thanks to an injury-time winner from Joel Gelhardt.
This affair is a difficult one to predict, but home advantage could prove to be the decisive factor.
Prediction: Norwich 1-0 Leeds
Stoke City v Leeds United
While Leeds’ start to the season so far has been undoubtedly underwhelming, fellow ex-Premier League side Stoke City’s has been even worse.
The Potters currently find themselves down in 20th place at the time of writing, with just seven points to their name after as many games. The primary source of goals has been 25-year-old Portuguese striker Andre Vidigal, who has found the back of the net four times so far this season.
The last meeting between the two sides came in the second round of the EFL Cup in 2019. The game ended 2-2 – with Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah scoring for the Whites – but Stoke would emerge from the penalty shootout victorious.
Neither side are at their best at the moment, but the extra quality in this Peacocks side will get them over the line.
Prediction: Stoke City 1-2 Leeds United
Leeds United v Huddersfield Town
Leeds had a disappointing start to the Champions season this year. There’s no way around that fact, but their upcoming opponents, Huddersfield Town, had an even worse start to 2023/24.
The former Premier League side lost four of their first five games across all competitions and looked as if they were heading for a relegation scrap, but recent wins against West Bromwich Albion and Rotherham and a draw at home to Stoke City have steadied the ship somewhat, and they now sit in 17th place on eight points.
That said, the Peacocks’ turnaround has been even more impressive, and with their current position of sixth and points haul of 13, they should undoubtedly be beating Huddersfield when playing host.
Additionally, with the quality of Joel Piroe, Wilfired Gnonto and Ethan Ampadu, the Whites should be winning this one, and comfortably at that.
Prediction: Leeds United 3 – 1 Huddersfield Town
