Leeds United’s Championship marketing campaign kicked off in really dramatic vogue final weekend as they fought again from 2-0 down towards Cardiff Metropolis to grab a stoppage-time equaliser due to Crysencio Summerville.
Regardless of exhibiting nice willpower and resilience to return again from a two-goal deficit, the consequence wasn’t precisely the specified final result earlier than the match started, so Daniel Farke’s facet can be eager to enter the win column on Saturday as they journey all the way down to St Andrew’s to face Birmingham Metropolis.
They did a minimum of get their Carabao Cup marketing campaign off to an excellent begin with a victory over Shrewsbury City, with the 2-1 triumph in midweek establishing a visit to Salford Metropolis later this month.
Here’s a look forward to Leeds’ subsequent six fixtures, as Football FanCast predicts how they will fare within the coming weeks…
Leeds fixtures
- 12 August: Birmingham (a)
- 18 August: West Brom (h)
- 26 August: Ipswich (a)
- 29 August: Salford Metropolis (a)
- 2 September: Sheffield Wednesday (h)
- 17 September: Millwall (a)
Birmingham Metropolis v Leeds United
Leeds’ first away match of the season comes at St Andrew’s towards Birmingham Metropolis because the pair look to choose up their first win of the marketing campaign having drawn their openers.
The Blues had been 14 minutes away from sealing a 1-0 away victory towards Swansea Metropolis earlier than Jerry Yates levelled to share the spoils.
Birmingham supervisor John Eustace was a contender for the vacant managerial place on the Swans following Russell Martin’s departure to Southampton, however reports later emerged revealing his contentment to stay on the West Midlands membership.
Eustace’s facet are very a lot on the up after being taken over by Shelby Companies Limited throughout the summer time, while seven-time Superbowl winner Tom Brady joined the membership’s new advisory board after turning into a minority proprietor.
Expectations can be considerably increased this time period and followers can be hopeful of a house win this Saturday.
Leeds, however, can be using the momentum wave after their dramatic comeback final weekend, however can be properly conscious of the necessity to rectify defensive lapses that in the end value them the three factors.
The arrival of Joe Rodon will definitely assist to shore up the again 4, however this fixture might come too quickly for him to have a telling influence. Both means, there might be a difficult journey to the Midlands in retailer for the Whites.
Prediction: Birmingham Metropolis 2-0 Leeds United
Leeds United v West Bromwich Albion
Farke’s second league outing at Elland Highway comes towards a supervisor who was a reported candidate for his position earlier in the summertime.
Carlos Corberan was additionally Leeds’ assistant supervisor throughout Marcelo Bielsa’s reign earlier than leaving the membership to hitch Huddersfield City in 2020.
His Baggies facet suffered a 2-1 away defeat to Blackburn Rovers of their opening conflict of the marketing campaign after going two objectives down inside 22 minutes.
Having completed final season in ninth place – three factors adrift of sixth-placed Sunderland – Albion’s goal this time period will certainly be to put inside the highest six.
The final assembly between these two got here throughout the 2020/21 Premier League season, with Leeds profitable 3-1 to finish a double over their opponents that 12 months.
The gulf has maybe narrowed since Albion’s relegation 12 months, however Leeds can be the safer wager to lastly get off the mark.
Prediction: Leeds 2-1 West Bromwich Albion
Ipswich City v Leeds United
Ipswich are many followers’ tricks to take the league by storm this time period after profitable promotion from League One with 98 factors, while scoring over a century of objectives within the course of.
Their 2-1 away victory towards Sunderland of their opening fixture evinced that they belong at this degree and additional proved why many have backed them to realize successive promotions.
Leeds will have to be on their A-game defensively to maintain Kieran McKenna’s facet at bay, however equally, the Tractor Boys can be up towards Premier League high quality on the flanks, with Summerville more likely to be amongst the Championship’s finest wingers this season.
An enthralling match is more likely to ensue, however house benefit might be the distinction on this one…
Prediction: Ipswich City 3-2 Leeds
Salford Metropolis v Leeds
Leeds progressed by means of to the second spherical of the EFL Cup after getting back from a aim all the way down to beat League One outfit Shrewsbury City at Elland Highway.
Younger ahead Joel Gelhardt discovered the equaliser within the 52nd minute earlier than Pascal Struijk gave the hosts the lead six minutes later.
The Whites will now journey to Higher Manchester on twenty ninth August to face League Two facet Salford Metropolis as their street to Wembley continues.
The Ammies triggered a cup upset within the first spherical by beating Preston North Finish 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 attract regular time.
Leeds have solely ever confronted Salford as soon as in a aggressive fixture, and that got here 4 years in the past underneath the stewardship of former supervisor Marcelo Bielsa, who led his staff to a 3-0 victory on the Peninsula Stadium within the first spherical of the EFL Cup.
Farke can be hoping for a repeat this time round, and if his gamers carry out wherever close to to their capabilities, it needs to be a fairly routine victory for the Championship membership.
Prediction: Salford Metropolis 1-3 Leeds United
Leeds v Sheffield Wednesday
The primary Yorkshire derby of the season commences within the first week of September.
Newly promoted Sheffield Wednesday opened up their account towards one of many favourites to go up in Southampton.
For a lot of the primary half, Wednesday struggled to get close to the Saints and located themselves 1-0 up heading into the break, however Xisco Muñoz’s facet fought again to degree within the second half earlier than Ché Adams discovered the profitable aim with three minutes of regular time remaining.
Sheffield Wednesday are one of many favourites to go down this 12 months, and after sacking the favored Darren Moore in the summertime regardless of him guiding the membership again to the second tier, followers might be fast to show if outcomes aren’t ok.
Leeds ought to have their squad in significantly better form at this level, with the switch window slamming shut the day earlier than.
Prediction: Leeds 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday
Millwall v Leeds United
Millwall’s thrilling teenage duo of Romain Esse and Aidomo Emakhu mixed to seal a 1-0 away victory towards final season’s play-off semi-finalists Middlesbrough final weekend.
After narrowly lacking out on the play-offs themselves final season, the Lions can be hungry to go one higher this season and end inside the highest six.
The Whites haven’t gained at Millwall since 2012 and misplaced 5 of their final six matches at The Den.
Such a file would make it onerous to justify something aside from a Millwall victory, however Leeds’ high quality in assault will bail them out for a draw.
Prediction: Millwall 1-1 Leeds
