Last season, Leeds defied the odds to finish in the top half of the table. They even came within touching distance of European football. But what’s in store for the Whites this season and where do the bookies expect the West Yorkshire club to finish?
The general consensuses amongst the bookies is that this season should be more of the same at Elland Road with most predicting a repeat mid-table finish for Marcelo Bielsa’s boys. There are some bookmakers tipping Leeds to top their 2020/21 efforts. Paddy Power have the Whites finishing as high as eighth, above the likes of Rafael Benitez’s Everton.
Where European football is concerned, which will definitely be an aim for Bielsa and his team going into the new season, Bet365 have Leeds at 12/1 to make the top four whilst William Hill have them at 9/2 to make the top six at the end of the season.
Last term many were tipping Leeds to be relegated, that seems like a less likely eventuality going into 2021/22 but the Whites are still 9/1 to go down this season according to Bet365. So despite Leeds more than consolidating themselves back in the top flight last season, the bookies still feel Bielsa’s side are more likely to go down than force their way into the top four.
Turning quickly to the subject of the golden boot, Patrick Bamford is 28/1 to claim the individual honour. Despite his brilliant campaign last season which saw him finish as the second highest English goal scorer behind Harry Kane, the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Timo Werner are more likely to finish as the division’s top scorer according to Ladbrokes.
Ultimately, where the bookies are concerned, it appears they believe Leeds’ campaign will be a rehash of last term with an eighth or ninth finish, a shot at European football and little worry of relegation.
Despite the season as a whole expected to be another healthy one in West Yorkshire, Manchester United are strong favourites for the opening day War of the Roses showdown. The Red Devils are 4/7 to win the game whilst a draw is 4/1. An away victory and an opening day three points for Leeds is 26/5 in the opinion of BetVictor.
This is where the bookies are predicting Leeds to finish this season:
Paddy Power: 8th (150/1 to win the title)
Sky Bet: 9th (100/1 to win the title)
Bet365: 9th (125/1 to win the title)
BetVictor: 9th (150/1 to win the title)
