Leeds are in a good place. That isn't something you could have written in many FourFourTwo Season Previews over the course of this century.
Elland Road's redevelopment is at the shovels-in-ground stage. The team consolidated their place in the top flight. And, this summer, the club tied 25-year-old captain and talisman Ethan Ampadu to a new, long-term contract.
As with every recently promoted side in the modern Premier League era, the objective is the same in season two: stay up. In a ruthless division, second-season syndrome can kill teams who start to have ideas above their station.
Will Leeds suffer second-season syndrome, or secure continued Premier League football once more?
The last time Leeds were in this build on the success of their first season back in the big time, which set in motion a slide back into the Championship. It can't be allowed to happen again. Minority partners then, 49ers Enterprises are now in full control, with deep pockets that are deepened further still by commercial partnerships with the likes of Red Bull.
Transfer market savvy remains key, however. Noah Okafor, Anton Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, in particular, were all resounding successes in last summer's squad reshape, with an emphasis placed on physicality. In order to maintain the momentum built in the second half of 2025-26, Leeds will need to execute their squad-building goals efficiently once again.
The Coach
Plenty feared that Daniel Farke couldn't keep a team in the Premier League, having twice failed to do so with Norwich, but – helped by a fuller budget and a defiant Elland Road – he proved his doubters wrong. He has now challenged the club to match his ambition to push on.
Key Player
The most important cog in the Leeds machine is 63-cap Wales international Ethan Ampadu. Leading by example and ready to fly into a tackle at any time, he is just what Leeds fans want in a captain, not least for his cone-headed promotion party antics. He's one of them.
Last Season's Results
PREMIER LEAGUE: 14th
FA CUP: Semi-final
LEAGUE CUP: Second Round
Top Scorer
Dominic Calvert-Lewin bagged a respectable 15 goals in all competitions for the Whites last season.
At one stage, the (very narrow) possibility of him breaking Jamie Vardy's consecutive games-with-a-goal streak was even being discussed.
Lessons From Last Year
If it's not working, change it up. With Leeds losing 2-0 at half-time at Manchester City in November, Farke shifted to a back three – a system he hadn't used in his first two seasons at the club.
They got back to 2-2 before conceding in injury time but, more importantly, this heralded a tactical setup that made Leeds harder to beat.
Across the 30 matches in all competitions that followed Farke's epiphany, Leeds lost only six times. They pulled away from relegation, and the manager's willingness to change tack won over doubters. Keeping key players fit was vital as other teams' form forced Leeds to finish strongly. And so they did.
When they travelled to West Ham on the final day, clear of relegation, Farke's charges were unbeaten in eight. His pragmatism had paid off.
Most Likely To...
Have the best-smelling manager in the Premier League.
Least Likely To...
Shoot from range: Calvert-Lewin, who took 13 of his 14 goals from between the posts, inside the box.
View From The Stands
Words by: JOE MEWIS @joemewis
Last season was defined by the half-time switch at Manchester City, when Daniel Farke was staring down the barrel. A superb second half of the season was his reward for leaving behind what had been a rigid tactical approach.
This season will be different because the top half is our goal now.
Our key player will be Ethan Ampadu, for his tenacity and leadership.
The active player I'd love to have back is Raphinha, now that James Milner has finally called it a day.
The opposition player I'd love here is James Trafford. One of England's best goalkeepers has been wasted sat on the bench at Man City.
Look out for additional scrutiny on the academy pipeline. For the first time, Leeds didn't award Young Player of the Year due to a lack of candidates. The hierarchy were vindicated in signing experienced players, but reigniting the historically superb youth setup, producing players ready for the first team, needs to happen.
The one change I'd make at our club would be our dire modern-day record at Wembley. Even a goal would be nice.
The ground I'm least looking forward to visiting is the Emirates. Arsenal were the only side to truly have our number last season.
The fans' opinion of the gaffer is at an all-time high. A win at Old Trafford and first FA Cup semi-final in a generation were the icing on the cake of a stress-free climax.
We'll finish 11th.
Fixtures
AUGUST
22 Nott'm Forest (A)
29 Brentford (H)
SEPTEMBER
5 Brighton (A)
12 Newcastle (H)
19 Crystal Palace (H)
OCTOBER
10 Arsenal (A)
17 Man United (H)
24 Sunderland (A)
31 Bournemouth (A)
NOVEMBER
7 Tottenham (H)
21 Chelsea (A)
28 Coventry (H)
DECEMBER
2 Man City (A)
5 Ipswich (H)
12 Liverpool (A)
19 Fulham (H)
26 Aston Villa (A)
30 Hull City (A)
JANUARY
2 Everton (H)
6 Man City (H)
16 Tottenham (A)
23 Chelsea (H)
30 Coventry (A)
FEBRUARY
6 Bournemouth (H)
10 Everton (A)
20 Aston Villa (H)
27 Fulham (A)
MARCH
3 Hull City (H)
13 Brighton (H)
20 Newcastle (A)
APRIL
10 Nott'm Forest (H)
17 Brentford (A)
24 Liverpool (H)
MAY
1 Ipswich (A)
8 Arsenal (H)
15 Man United (A)
23 Sunderland (H)
30 Crystal Palace (A)
Title Odds
Leeds United to win the Premier League title odds: 500/1
FFT Verdict
FourFourTwo verdict: Leeds to finish 14th.
Leeds' top-seven form following Farke's tactical switch-up hints that they can look up rather than down. New boy Harry Wilson could add goals – they've also needed to address the goalkeeping situation.
This feature was written in June as part of FourFourTwo magazine's legendary Season Preview issue which can be ordered here.
