Premier League - Football: Leeds United season preview

bet365 News Team Published: Aug 22 2022 15:21

Leeds United narrowly avoided relegation last season, with their position not confirmed in this year's Premier League until the final day.

The Whites never got going under Marcelo Bielsa, and the Argentinian paid the ultimate price when he was relieved of his duties in February.

Former RB Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch was able to get his side to safety, but the Yorkshire club are still 9/4 to be relegated this time around after a chaotic summer at Elland Road.

What	England Premier League 2022/23
Where	England
When	5th August 2022 - 28th May 2023
How to watch	Selected matches broadcast on Sky, BT Sport and Amazon Prime
Odds	Manchester City 4/7, Liverpool 2/1, Tottenham 14/1, Chelsea 16/1, Manchester United 33/1

Where did Leeds United finish last season?

17th

What are Leeds United's hopes for the season?

Survival has to be Leeds' ultimate aim this season, with the Whites' fanbase still reeling from the previous campaign.

Certain sections of the club's supporters did not agree with the decision to sack Bielsa, but Marsch at least did his job, even if it took Leeds all 38 games to prove they belong in the big time.

Leeds' squad has undergone drastic changes since their win at Brentford in May, and Marsch will just hope that he can integrate the new faces quickly.

A mid-table finish would be a fine campaign for Leeds, who need several years to establish themselves as a top-flight team before they start to dream of Europe. Those that expect the Whites to finish in the top half can do so at 9/2.

Who are Leeds United's opening opponents?

Leeds will square off against Wolves on the opening weekend of the season at Elland Road. After a summer of change, Marsch will no doubt be delighted to get his players back on the pitch in front of their adoring fans.

Leeds, who went unbeaten against Bruno Lage's side last season, are 13/10 to win at home, while the draw is 5/2. Wolves are available at 2/1 to win on 6th August.

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When are Leeds United's key fixtures?

Leeds will travel to fierce arch-rivals Manchester United on 18th September, and they will hope to avoid another hefty defeat following last season's 5-1 loss at Old Trafford.

Their final game before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will come away from home when they face Tottenham in London on 12th November.

On Boxing Day, their players return to action against Manchester City, but at least Marsch's side will be at home.

Leeds will hope there is little riding on their final game of the 2022/23 campaign, as they face Tottenham at Elland Road on 28th May.

Who is Leeds United's manager?

Marsch still has critics in England, but the American was tasked with saving the club from relegation and succeeded at the first attempt.

He first made a name for himself at New York Red Bulls, winning the Supporters' Shield in 2015 and 2018, before earning himself a job at Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.

Marsch won successive league titles while also winning two Austrian Cups, but he has yet to prove he can cut it amongst the elite coaches working in the Premier League.

The 48-year-old has managed to sign some of his own players this summer and will hope that they can make an immediate impact in the coming months.

What players have Leeds United signed?

Brenden Aaronson (RB Salzburg)
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Luis Sinisterra (Feyenoord)
Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig)
Rasmus Kristensen (RB Salzburg)
Marc Roca (Bayern Munich)
Darko Gyabi (Manchester City)
Sonny Perkins (West Ham)
Joel Robles (Real Betis)

Which players have left Leeds United?

Laurens De Bock (Released)
Josh Galloway (Released)
Alfie Hughes (Released)
Bobby Kamwa (Released)
Lui Bradbury (Released)
Joe Littlewood (Released)
Mitchell Picksley (Released)
Ryan Edmondson (Carlisle)
Liam McCarron (Stoke)
Kalvin Phillips (Man City)
Charlie Cresswell (Millwall, Loan)
Tyler Roberts (QPR, Loan)
Elia Caprile (Bari)
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Jamie Shackleton (Millwall, Loan)
Leif Davis (Ipswich)
Lewis Bate (Oxford) Loan

Who are Leeds United's key players?

Star player	Patrick Bamford
Potential top scorer	Patrick Bamford
Set-piece king	Jack Harrison
Exciting youngster	Joe Gelhardt

Leeds' decision to sell both Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips means the club's new recruits have huge shoes to fill this season. The Whites' board have backed Marsch in the transfer market, but they will still rely heavily on striker Patrick Bamford.

The England international spent most of last season on the physio's bench, but if he stays fit, he will be their leading man in the final third.

With Raphinha now out of the picture, Jack Harrison is likely to be at the front of the queue for direct free-kicks.

He may face some competition from new man Brenden Aaronson, but Harrison has already proven he can be a threat if given a chance in the Leeds attack.

While he showed glimpses of his ability last season, striker Joe Gelhardt can enjoy a breakthrough campaign this year. Leeds need options off the bench, and Marsch has shown he is more than willing to push the former Wigan ace into the limelight.

Which of Leeds United's players will be going to the World Cup?

Sadly for Leeds, two of their biggest names from last season will be playing at the World Cup but representing different teams in the Premier League.

Midfielder Phillips will likely continue his role for England as a Manchester City player, while Barcelona winger Raphinha will hope to lead the way for Brazil in Qatar.

Should he prove his fitness, Bamford could force his way back into Gareth Southgate's England squad, but he would need to hit the ground running.

He is priced at 40/1 to be named the Premier League's top goalscorer, while Spanish duo Diego Llorente and Rodrigo will hope to make Luis Enrique's squad this winter.

Winger Dan James is one of the leading candidates to start a World Cup match, with the Wales winger eager to make a mark under coach Robert Page.

American duo Aaronson and Tyler Adams will hope to impress for the USA in a group that includes both England and Wales.