Jump To:The CoachKey PlayerLast Season's ResultsTop ScorerLessons From Last YearMost Likely To...Least Likely To...View From The StandsFixturesTitle OddsFFT VerdictCopy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterLeeds are in a good place. That isn't something you could have written in many FourFourTwo Season Previews over the course of this century.Elland Road's redevelopment is at the shovels-in-ground stage. The team consolidated their place in the top flight. And, this summer, the club tied 25-year-old captain and talisman Ethan Ampadu to a new, long-term contract.As with every recently promoted side in the modern Premier League era, the objective is the same in season two: stay up. In a ruthless division, second-season syndrome can kill teams who start to have ideas above their station.Will Leeds suffer second-season syndrome, or secure continued Premier League football once more?The last time Leeds were in this build on the success of their first season back in the big time, which set in motion a slide back into the Championship. It can't be allowed to happen again. Minority partners then, 49ers Enterprises are now in full control, with deep pockets that are deepened further still by commercial partnerships with the likes of Red Bull.Transfer market savvy remains key, however. Noah Okafor, Anton Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, in particular, were all resounding successes in last summer's squad reshape, with an emphasis placed on physicality. In order to maintain the momentum built in the second half of 2025-26, Leeds will need to execute their squad-building goals efficiently once again. You may like Hull City's return to the Premier League was borderline miraculous, but a far more absurd feat will be the requirement to stay up - Hull City 2026-27 season preview Ipswich Town have returned to the Premier League as fast as they fell from it in 2025, but will they be better prepared for survival this time around? Ipswich Town 2026-27 season preview Coventry City fought valiantly to make it back to the Premier League, but will surviving the drop prove to be an even greater task? - Coventry City 2026-27 season preview The CoachPlenty feared that Daniel Farke couldn't keep a team in the Premier League, having twice failed to do so with Norwich, but helped by a fuller budget and a defiant Elland Road he proved his doubters wrong. He has now challenged the club to match his ambition to push on.Key PlayerThe most important cog in the Leeds machine is 63-cap Wales international Ethan Ampadu. Leading by example and ready to fly into a tackle at any time, he is just what Leeds fans want in a captain, not least for his cone-headed promotion party antics. He's one of them.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Last Season's ResultsPREMIER LEAGUE: 14thFA CUP: Semi-finalLEAGUE CUP: Second Round What to read next Manchester United bordered on challenging under Michael Carrick, but can the now permanent manager prevent the Red Devils from their usual backslide in his first complete season? Manchester United 2026-27 season preview Fulham are a side edging closer to domestic success and European qualification, but can new boss Alvaro Arbeloa get them over the line? Fulham 2026-27 season preview Brighton staggered to the Conference League qualification finish line last season, but will they enjoy the fruits of their labour? Brighton 2026-27 season preview Top ScorerDominic Calvert-Lewin bagged a respectable 15 goals in all competitions for the Whites last season.At one stage, the (very narrow) possibility of him breaking Jamie Vardy's consecutive games-with-a-goal streak was even being discussed.Lessons From Last YearIf it's not working, change it up. With Leeds losing 2-0 at half-time at Manchester City in November, Farke shifted to a back three a system he hadn't used in his first two seasons at the club.They got back to 2-2 before conceding in injury time but, more importantly, this heralded a tactical setup that made Leeds harder to beat.Across the 30 matches in all competitions that followed Farke's epiphany, Leeds lost only six times. They pulled away from relegation, and the manager's willingness to change tack won over doubters. Keeping key players fit was vital as other teams' form forced Leeds to finish strongly. And so they did.When they travelled to West Ham on the final day, clear of relegation, Farke's charges were unbeaten in eight. His pragmatism had paid off.Most Likely To...Have the best-smelling manager in the Premier League.Least Likely To...Shoot from range: Calvert-Lewin, who took 13 of his 14 goals from between the posts, inside the box.View From The StandsWords by: JOE MEWIS @joemewisLast season was defined by the half-time switch at Manchester City, when Daniel Farke was staring down the barrel. A superb second half of the season was his reward for leaving behind what had been a rigid tactical approach.This season will be different because the top half is our goal now.Our key player will be Ethan Ampadu, for his tenacity and leadership.The active player I'd love to have back is Raphinha, now that James Milner has finally called it a day.The opposition player I'd love here is James Trafford. One of England's best goalkeepers has been wasted sat on the bench at Man City.Look out for additional scrutiny on the academy pipeline. For the first time, Leeds didn't award Young Player of the Year due to a lack of candidates. The hierarchy were vindicated in signing experienced players, but reigniting the historically superb youth setup, producing players ready for the first team, needs to happen.The one change I'd make at our club would be our dire modern-day record at Wembley. Even a goal would be nice.The ground I'm least looking forward to visiting is the Emirates. Arsenal were the only side to truly have our number last season.The fans' opinion of the gaffer is at an all-time high. A win at Old Trafford and first FA Cup semi-final in a generation were the icing on the cake of a stress-free climax.We'll finish 11th.FixturesAUGUST22 Nott'm Forest (A)29 Brentford (H)SEPTEMBER5 Brighton (A)12 Newcastle (H)19 Crystal Palace (H)OCTOBER10 Arsenal (A)17 Man United (H)24 Sunderland (A)31 Bournemouth (A)NOVEMBER7 Tottenham (H)21 Chelsea (A)28 Coventry (H)DECEMBER2 Man City (A)5 Ipswich (H)12 Liverpool (A)19 Fulham (H)26 Aston Villa (A)30 Hull City (A)JANUARY2 Everton (H)6 Man City (H)16 Tottenham (A)23 Chelsea (H)30 Coventry (A)FEBRUARY6 Bournemouth (H)10 Everton (A)20 Aston Villa (H)27 Fulham (A)MARCH3 Hull City (H)13 Brighton (H)20 Newcastle (A)APRIL10 Nott'm Forest (H)17 Brentford (A)24 Liverpool (H)MAY 1 Ipswich (A)8 Arsenal (H)15 Man United (A)23 Sunderland (H)30 Crystal Palace (A)Title OddsLeeds United to win the Premier League title odds: 500/1FFT VerdictFourFourTwo verdict: Leeds to finish 14th.Leeds' top-seven form following Farke's tactical switch-up hints that they can look up rather than down. New boy Harry Wilson could add goals they've also needed to address the goalkeeping situation.This feature was written in June as part of FourFourTwo magazine's legendary Season Preview issue which can be ordered here.TOPICSPremier LeagueJoe DonnohueSocial Links NavigationSenior Digital WriterJoe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.
