Leeds United Bid to End Newly-Promoted Relegation Trend in 2025/26 | OneFootball

Coming off a remarkable Championship season, Leeds United return to the Premier League after a two-year absence.

Leeds clinched the second-tier title last term with a stunning 100-point haul, narrowly beating second-placed Burnley on goal difference.

It marked the first time in the club’s history that the Whites had reached the 100-point milestone in English league football.

Next on manager Daniel Farke’s list of assignments is to keep the Elland Road outfit in the top flight in their first Premier League season since their relegation in 2022/23.

However, recent history suggests it could be a tough ask, even though the club has been busy reinforcing the squad during the summer transfer window.

On the plus side, the Whites enter the 2025/26 campaign with better survival prospects than the other two newly-promoted clubs.

Without further ado, here is our Leeds season preview.

Leeds United Fixtures

Farke would appreciate a strong start, especially after Leeds accumulated a measly 31 points in their fateful 2022/23 season.

Everton’s visit to Elland Road on the opening weekend offers them a chance to get off to a winning start before heading to London to take on perennial runners-up Arsenal.

Leeds won’t face another traditional ‘Big Six’ side until early October, when they entertain Tottenham Hotspur on home turf. The rest of the month appears to be straightforward on paper.

The same goes for the best part of November, at least until they lock horns with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in their final outing of the month.

However, December won’t be kind to the Whites. Chelsea’s visit to Leeds kicks off a brutal six-game patch which features a mouth-watering double-double header against defending champions Liverpool.

Farke’s side could still find reason to celebrate over the festive period, with a Boxing Day clash against fellow promoted side Sunderland looking winnable from their perspective.

The start of the new calendar year brings a blockbuster fixture against bitter rivals Manchester United at home, followed by a trip to St James’ Park for a match against Newcastle United.

Leeds will likely need to confirm top-flight credentials in February, when they meet Nottingham Forest (H), Chelsea (A), Aston Villa (A) and Man City (H).

The reverse clash against Man Utd arrives in early April at Old Trafford, while the Whites conclude their season away to West Ham United on May 24.

Manager

Farke took charge of Leeds in 2023 and nearly guided them to Premier League promotion in his first season at Elland Road, only to lose to Southampton in the play-off final.

However, the second time was a charm for the former Norwich City manager, who will be looking to banish lingering doubts about his ability to succeed in the top flight.

Last season proved the ultimate confidence boost for the 48-year-old, as his side dominated the Championship from start to finish after the disappointment of 2023/24.

The Whites scored an eye-catching 90 league goals while only conceding 30 in return, highlighting just how dominant and confident they were throughout the season.

The Championship challenges are hardly comparable to the intensity and quality Leeds will face in the Premier League this term as they bid to defy an ominous recent trend.

All newly-promoted clubs were relegated in their first season back in the Premier League over the past two campaigns, underscoring the magnitude of the task ahead.

Transfers

Many newcomers in recent years have made a common mistake. They’ve often focused on quantity instead of quality.

However, they’ve bolstered their squad with some carefully selected talents and promising additions this summer.

Sean Longstaff has joined from Newcastle to add steel to the midfield, while Gabriel Gudmundsson arrived from Lille to increase competition at left-back.

Despite being heavily linked with a transfer to Inter Milan, highly-rated centre-back Jaka Bijol has swapped Udinese for England in an £18.75 million deal.

Illan Meslier’s patchy form in 2024/25 has prompted Leeds to invest £15.6m in the signing of Lucas Perri from Lyon.

Perhaps surprisingly, German midfielder Anton Stach remains the club’s marquee summer arrival, having moved in from TSG Hoffenheim for a reported fee of £19.9m.

It’s also worth noting that Lukas Nmecha has penned a multi-year contract in Yorkshire after running down his contract at Wolfsburg.

As for the outgoings, Leeds have only completed one sale this summer, with Rasmus Kristensen linking up with Eintracht Frankfurt after spending last season on loan at the Deutsche Bank Park.

But they’ve cut ties with Joshua Guilavogui and Junior Firpo, refusing to extend their expiring contracts.

Maximilian Wober and Joe Gelhardt have joined Werder Bremen and Hull City on loan, respectively.

Starting XI

Leeds lined up in a 4-2-3-1 last season and will likely continue with the same formation this term.

Meslier’s unconvincing performances could see him relegated to the bench, with Perri set to become the new first-choice goalkeeper.

Jayden Bogle excelled at right-back in 2024/25, cementing his position in the starting line-up. With Firpo gone, Sam Byram will fight new boy Gudmundsson for a starting berth on the left.

Captain Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon are the favourites to start at the heart of the backline.

Ilia Gruev and Ao Tanaka were Farke’s trusted midfield anchors last season, yet Stach could dislodge the latter from his starting spot.

Wilfried Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson are arguably Leeds’ most creative outlets, expected to play pivotal roles in driving the team’s attacking threat this term.

With Manor Solomon back at Tottenham after a season-long loan, Nmecha could complete the trio behind last year’s top scorer, Joel Piroe.

(4-2-3-1): Perri; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Byram; Gruev, Stach; Gnonto, Aaronson, Nmecha; Piroe.

Star Player

Despite Gnonto’s supersonic speed and Aaronson’s playmaking wizardry, Piroe stands out as Leeds’ fiercest attacking threat.

The 26-year-old was the cornerstone of the Whites’ formidable run to the Championship title last season with 19 goals and seven assists in 46 league matches.

In addition to his consistent goal-scoring ability, Piroe’s tremendous work rate and capacity to create scoring opportunities for his teammates make him a valuable asset in attack.

Defensive solidity will likely be the key to securing survival. But Leeds fans wouldn’t mind seeing their team play with the same attacking flair and intensity that brought them success last season.

Piroe’s role will be crucial in that aspect.

Prediction

If any team can overturn the typical struggles of newly-promoted sides in the Premier League, it’s Leeds.

Farke’s charges look far better suited for Premier League challenges than Burnley and Sunderland.

With a competitive squad and robust structure, they have the tools needed to secure survival and establish themselves back in the top flight, even if it will be in the bottom half of the Premier League standings.

However, despite their strengths, the Whites will ultimately fall short and face relegation once again.

Predicted finish: 18th.

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Read Next: Our full Premier League 2025/26 preview (with links to all individual Premier League team previews).