Leeds United have made a solid start to the season, and it is increasingly becoming a problem for some of the established Premier League sides who have made a horrid start to the campaign.
Promoted teams have been woeful in the Premier League in recent seasons, which has allowed some of the established teams to escape the threat of relegation to the Championship. They did just enough to keep themselves in the top flight.
However, the tables have turned this season as Leeds and Sunderland have looked more than competitive at the start of the campaign, and Burnley have looked like a side that could give a game even to the best of teams, as Liverpool recently found out.
Leeds’ physicality has troubled teams early in the season as Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola admitted that they were a level above his team during their 2-2 draw at Elland Road on Saturday.
Leeds United are a problem for the established sides
Leeds have eight points from their opening six Premier League games, and are ahead of teams such as Manchester United, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and West Ham in the league table.
Hammers are under real pressure this season, and talkSPORT pundit Alex Crook conceded that the underperforming teams are under more pressure than usual.
He insisted that the performances of Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley have turned up the heat on some of the other teams in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
“The issue that the established teams have this season is that the three that came up are very competitive”, Crook said on talkSPORT.
“I predicted Sunderland would stay up before a ball was kicked, but I think Leeds and Burnley have given themselves a chance as well.”
Jamie Carragher recently admitted that the established Premier League sides have a real fear of relegation this season due to the performances of the promoted teams.
Leeds could increase their problems in the coming weeks
The Whites’ start to the season has unsettled a few Premier League boardrooms, but they could cause a real panic in the next few weeks.
Leeds will back themselves to get a result against an inconsistent Tottenham side at Elland Road this weekend, ahead of the international break.
The Yorkshire giants face an away trip to Burnley right after the break, before hosting a struggling West Ham side at Elland Road. With both opponents sitting low in the table, Leeds will see these fixtures as key opportunities to pick up points.
Some of the established Premier League sides could be in real trouble if Leeds continue to perform at their current level.
