Marcelo Bielsa’s all-action Leeds team shocked everyone last season with a remarkable ninth-place finish despite it being their first campaign back in the top flight for 16 years. Not only did they finish in the top half, they did so by playing open attacking football as they provided a new level of entertainment to the Premier League.
Going into the new campaign the goal is undoubtedly to kick on from that positive start to life back in the top flight and push for European football having finished just shy of the European places last term. There are some who believe the Whites could suffer second season syndrome though as teams start to become more clued up about their style of play – a fate which fell on their Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United last term.
But it’s generally expected that Leeds will be solid and most pundits are tipping them for a similar season to the last one and another mid-table finish. However, in a tight Premier League table last time out, a few more wins would have pushed Bielsa’s boys towards the European places and talkSPORT pundit Jim White has tipped the Whites to exceed expectations and secure European football with a top seven finish.
Speaking on the radio station’s official YouTube account, he said: “You see I’ve got a feeling about Leeds. I think they will surprise a lot of people. I’m not saying they will finish higher than Manchester United, but I think they will have a cracking season.
“A cracking season means Europe… it could lead to European football.
“There is excitement in that part of the world, Bielsa has brought them a lot and he’s got a lot more to bring.”
To top last year’s efforts, Leeds will need to get off to a good start despite a difficult trip to Old Trafford in their Premier League opener. The last 10 games of last season saw the Whites top the Premier League form table and if they can repeat that this term, and get off to a better start, there is no question the Yorkshire giants could send shockwaves through the league – especially with the return of fans to a hostile Elland Road.
