Premier League Club-By-Club Predictions: Arguably the most likely Championship side to stay up, can Leeds United start strong?

After dominating the Championship in 2024-25, Leeds United have successfully positioned themselves as the favourites to emerge from a close relegation battle. Will the addition of Sean Longstaff, among others, help to push Leeds over the top? Or will the Whites struggle to put it all together when it matters most?

(Image Credit to Harry Trump/ Getty Images)

The last time Leeds United earned promotion to the Premier League, they went on to finish ninth in the following Premier League season. 

While there aren’t many ways in which the Whites could pull off that feat a second time, they are more than certainly in a good position to avoid the worst of what could be a six-way relegation fight. 

But where will Leeds find themselves when all is said and done? Further up, like in 2020-21, or close to the drop?

What Noah says:

Leeds United could be a very interesting team to watch this season.

While they will undoubtedly be in a relegation battle throughout much of the season, they are arguably the newly-promoted side that is in the best position to make it to safety. 

I say this because of the plethora of Premier League experience that they are bringing into this season from their last stint in the top flight; one such player that fits this bill is American midfielder, Brenden Aaronson.

However, what might save the Whites this season isn’t their pre-existing options, but rather the major moves that they have made throughout the summer. Bringing in Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United will not only bolster the squad’s midfield options but will also add some Premier League survival experience that could be vital in the final weeks of the season. 

While those final weeks of the season do consist of easier fixtures than those of their relegation rivals, it is nonetheless a crucial stretch for Leeds United. This is especially true when considering that the Whites play both Wolves and Burnley at home in their final six matches; like Leeds United, both Wolves and Burnley are expected to be among the favourites to go down when all is said and done. 

Of the previous four Championship winners, only Fulham (who won in 2021-22) survived relegation back to the Championship the following season. While two of their first three games are against Arsenal and Newcastle United, I see Leeds United surviving in the final weeks of the season. 

Projected finish: 16th

What Ellie says:

Coming into 25/26 as the reigning Championship winner, with 100 points throughout the season and with an impressive form at the end of the season, Leeds look to break the cycle of newly promoted teams being turned straight back around.

Unlike last time Leeds were in the Top tier of English football, they now have major sponsors Rebull as well as a minority stake, which will ensure they have the funds to adapt their procedure to that of the Premier League.

With a squad that will be new to the league, Daniel Farke will have to ensure they are ready for the uphill battle that lies ahead. 

Leeds face a difficult season, but I believe they will ultimately show their raw skills and abilities and will survive relegation and break the cycle of the newly promoted sides.

Projected finish: 15th

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Article written by Noah Guttman and Ellie Swain