Leeds United are looking to get over last year’s heartbreak in 2025 and get back to the promised land of the Premier League. They sit at the summit of the Championship standings and have emerged as the real deal following a gruelling festive period, which tested the club’s squad strength and resilience. Leeds are on their way to fixing their away record with wins at Stoke City and Derby County and were minutes away from getting all three points against Blackburn on New Year’s Day despite looking tired and jaded. A win at Hull City on Saturday will set them up nicely for the final half of the Championship season.
The Whites stars looked devastated at the final whistle at Wembley last year as Southampton players celebrated getting back to the Premier League while Leeds prepared for another season in the Championship.
90 points would have got them into the Premier League on any other season in the last 25 years but not in the 2023/24 Championship campaign where Leicester City and Ipswich Town showed remarkable consistency.
Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter left in the summer and Daniel Farke had to rebuild the squad to ensure that they competed for promotion again this season.
It is a testament to Farke’s managerial ability and the excellence of the recruitment team at Leeds that they sit at the summit of the league table at this stage of the season.
Leeds have several things going for them in the second half of the season but they also have weaknesses to take care of and threats to handle before they can celebrate getting promoted to the Premier League.
The Strengths Leeds United have at this stage of the season
Leeds have 52 points from 25 games and have a three-point lead over Sheffield United and Burnley at the top of the Championship. Momentum is a much-talked-about factor in any close race and the Whites have the momentum despite the 1-1 draw against Blackburn at home.
While their nine-game winning run at home ended on Wednesday, they have improved their away record after posting victories at Stoke City and Derby County.
The way Leeds are taking on and overcoming their challenges at this stage of the season could have a psychological effect on their challengers and we have already seen Sheffield United and Burnley stumble.
Daniel Farke’s experience of getting teams promoted to the Premier League will also stand them in good stead. Sheffield United and Burnley fans can say the same with Chris Wilder and Scott Parker, but last season’s experience will also help Leeds to handle the pressure better this year.
Leeds’ squad depth also came to the fore during the festive period and while there are some gaps in certain areas, the Whites have a good blend of experience and youth to bank on in the latter half of the season.
Most importantly, Leeds’ imperious form at home is an intimidating factor for away sides. Despite looking off-colour and tired, Leeds were still only minutes away from beating Blackburn on New Year’s Day.
However, they have weaknesses
The question marks about the overall depth of the squad remain around Leeds United. Whites fans are still not certain that there is enough in the tank to handle the intensity of the Championship for a whole season.
Farke has already indicated that they won’t bring in new signings unless there are major injury concerns and it seems Leeds will bank on their current squad for the rest of the campaign.
Leeds have also been guilty of lapses in concentration when they were least expected to and that could cost them points in a competitive league such as the Championship. They have already dropped points in games this season where they were never expected to.
However, the biggest challenge will be overcoming the scars of last season and the weight of expectations. Leeds are favourites to get promoted but they couldn’t handle that pressure towards the end of the campaign last year.
One would hope they have learned from that experience and are better equipped this season but pressure can end up doing funny things to even the best of teams.
For now, Leeds look like a team that should be getting promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season but last year taught their fans a crucial lesson – do not take the champagne out of the ice too early.
