Leeds United have made an encouraging start to the Premier League season. They are organised, competitive and extremely difficult to beat. The next step is turning that solid platform into something more ambitious.
After eight league matches, Leeds sit seventh with 11 points. They have lost only once, conceded six goals and kept three clean sheets. Those are impressive numbers for a side that finished 14th last season.
However, Daniel Farke’s team have also won only twice. Five of their eight matches have ended in draws, including goalless games against Crystal Palace and Sunderland. Leeds have scored nine times, but four of those goals came in the same victory over Newcastle United.
Strip away that 4-1 win and their attacking return falls to five goals across seven matches.
Leeds are clearly capable of competing at this level. The question is whether they are being brave enough to win matches that are there for the taking.
A good start that could have been even better
Leeds’ record of two wins, five draws and one defeat is objectively positive. They have taken points from seven of their opening eight games, with a narrow 2-1 defeat at Arsenal their only loss.
Their results have been:
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds United
Leeds United 1-1 Brentford
Brighton 1-1 Leeds United
Leeds United 4-1 Newcastle United
Leeds United 0-0 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2-1 Leeds United
Leeds United 1-1 Manchester United
Sunderland 0-0 Leeds United
The defensive consistency is obvious. Leeds have conceded more than once in only one game and are allowing just 0.75 goals per match. They are conceding at a rate of one goal every 120 minutes.
At the other end, however, they are averaging 1.13 goals per game. Their matches have produced only 15 goals in total, an average of 1.88. Five of the eight have contained fewer than 2.5 goals.
Those numbers reflect a side that is controlling risk exceptionally well. They also suggest there is room to become more adventurous.
Leeds are currently on course for approximately 52 points if they maintain their average of 1.38 points per game. That would represent another comfortable season…
..
