Leeds United have made a decent start to the season, with four points in their bag from three games. However, they are aware of the challenge they are facing in their attempt to stay afloat in the Premier League at the end of the campaign.
Daniel Farke’s side have defied some of the early expectations of doom and gloom. Two solid performances against Everton and Newcastle United have increased their odds of surviving relegation from the Premier League in their first year back in the top flight.
However, the reality remains Leeds are still facing an uphill battle to stay up and the numbers behind their 2025/26 squad cost laid bare the huge challenge they will face to ensure that they remain in the Premier League this season.
Farke is preparing his team for a trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham on Saturday. While many are expecting them to get something from the away game, some are unsure about their overall quality compared to the West London side.
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Chris Sutton makes a gloomy Leeds United prediction
Leeds have a decent run of six games ahead of them when they will only face one of last season’s top nine, and they are being backed to get valuable points in the next few weeks.
Sutton conceded that while he understands why Leeds are being backed to get something from their trip to Craven Cottage, he is unsure about their overall quality.
He stressed that on paper, Fulham have a much better squad than Leeds, and the Yorkshire side’s recent record in London is nothing to write home about.
The former Premier League striker backed the home side to score a comfortable 2-0 win over Leeds.
“Leeds might fancy their chances at Craven Cottage, but you only have to look at their respective squads to see the difference in quality between the two sides”, Sutton said in his predictions on BBC Sport.
“Leeds just don’t have that kind of depth, and they were well beaten on their last trip to London.”
Farke has options to name a strong team
While Sutton may think Fulham will have too much for Leeds at Craven Cottage, the away side are likely to field a strong team on Saturday.
Lucas Perri’s injury is an issue, but Farke more or less has a fit squad to select from. Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka are back in training and look fit in some behind-the-scenes footage.
Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha are expected to recover from their minor knocks, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin is closer than ever to being fit and ready to start for Leeds.
Noah Okafor has also shaken off his groin problem and could make his first start for the Whites at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
