Leeds United are big contenders for automatic promotion to the Premier League and sit second in the Championship standings at the moment. The Whites are set to embark on a run of five games during the festive period where they will be looking to maximise their points. However, one look at the underlying statistics of the season, it is clear Leeds have the best and the most eye-catching team in the Championship this season.
Three of their next five games are away from home and much has been made about Leeds’ poor away form this season – just three wins in ten league games.
However, we have already argued that Leeds have a great chance of fixing their form on the road in the next three away games and even the current form table is in their favour at this stage of the season.
Leeds are in a tough fight for automatic promotion to the Premier League with Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland but there could be a scenario where they could be in a better position than all three teams after the festive period of games.
Even if Leeds have an easier run of games in the next five than all of the other three teams, it is important to state that they might be the best team in the Championship at this stage of the season.
A glance at the underlying numbers of this season’s Championship, it is easy to conclude Leeds are playing better football than any other team in the league.
Leeds United are the most eye-catching team in the Championship
Daniel Farke dusted himself off and started preparing for one more season in the Championship after Leeds became the first side in 26 years not to get promoted to the Premier League despite scoring 90 or more points last season.
The Leeds boss completed a painful rebuilding process over the summer and stuck to his principles and style of football despite last season’s failure.
Leeds are again looking like genuine contenders for promotion and by some measures, they are probably the best team in the Championship this season.
Farke is known for playing a possession-heavy attacking brand of football and that is exactly the style Leeds have continued to play this season.
Leeds have scored the most number of goals this season thus far with 37 strikes in 21 games. There is a reason Leeds score so many goals: they also take the highest number of shots per game at 16.4 on average.
Their possession stats is the highest with an average of 62 percent control and only Swansea come close to matching Leeds with 60 percent average possession.
Leeds are also the most accurate team for passing, completing more than 86 percent of their passes on average, which is again the highest in the Championship this season.
It is clear Leeds are the most watchable team in the Championship by a mile and if beautiful football is your criterion, they are the best team in the league this season.
However………..
Leed United definitely seem like the side neutrals love watching this season. However, there are issues they need to sort out before they can celebrate getting promoted to the Premier League.
Their away form is an issue and it is something they need to fix as for the moment, they are underperforming other teams who achieved automatic promotion in previous seasons.
Leeds also need to find a fix for their lack of physicality in some areas of their squad and how they are susceptible to counter-attacks. The Whites are 18th in the Championship when it comes to winning their aerial duels.
However, Leeds would have to trust their style of play and continue playing the way they have been operating, which has so far brought them so much success this season.
