Leeds United 2021-22 Premier League Preview
United to build under Bielsa?
Leeds United’s long absence from the top flight was worth the wait as Marcelo Bielsa’s men had a 2020-21 Premier League campaign to remember. The 2019-20 EFL Championship winners settled into top-tier life with aplomb, collecting 59 points and securing a top-half finish.
With the teams around them set to get stronger this year, building on last season’s success will take some doing for the Whites. However, Bielsa is as experienced as they come, and this current crop of Leeds players are certainly capable. Check out our Leeds United 2021-22 Premier League betting preview, featuring the best odds and top tips.
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Table of Contents
- 1 2020-21 Review: Worth the wait
- 2 2021-22 Fixtures: Leeds kick off campaign with trip to Old Trafford
- 3 Leeds United Transfer News: Who is on United’s radar?
- 4 Who Are Leeds’ Biggest Challengers: Can the Whites break into Europe?
- 5 Arsenal Preview: Gunners eyeing up a European return?
- 6 West Ham United Preview: Can the Hammers kick on?
- 7 Leicester City Preview: Can the Foxes finally finish in the top four?
- 8 Leeds players to watch out for in the 2021-22 season: Bamford to shine again?
- 9 Our Leeds United Predictions: Can Leeds sneak into top six?
2020-21 Review: Worth the wait
After winning promotion in 2020, Leeds were back in the Premier League after over 15 years away. United dropped into the Championship way back in 2004 and even fell to the third tier for three seasons. However, Bielsa was the man to get Leeds back to the promised land and end years and years of agony for the Leeds fans.
Leeds needed no time to settle into their top-tier surroundings, as they narrowly lost at champions Liverpool on the opening weekend before back-to-back wins over Fulham and Sheffield United. They picked up four more league victories in 2020, seeing off Everton, Newcastle United, Burnley and West Bromwich Albion.
Leeds kicked off the new year with defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion before winning three of their next four. The Yorkshire giants went on a remarkable run from March to May, beating Manchester City and Tottenham, and picking up draws with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Leeds had a stunning end to their first season back in the Premier League since the 2003-04 campaign, losing just one of the last ten, winning seven and drawing two of the other nine. They signed off with successive victories over Spurs, Burnley, Southampton and West Brom. Leeds finished in ninth, winning 17, drawing five and losing 15 to collect 59 points from 38 games. They were only three points away from Europe in the end.
2021-22 Fixtures: Leeds kick off campaign with trip to Old Trafford
Leeds’ 2021-22 season gets up and running with a mouth-watering matchup against rivals Man United at Old Trafford on 14th August. The home fans will get to see their team in action a week later when they entertain Everton at Elland Road. On matchday four, the Whites welcome Liverpool to Yorkshire.
The reverse game against Man United is scheduled for February, while they play Man City and Arsenal in back-to-back games in late April and early May. Leeds’ home season ends with a game against Brighton, and they face Premier League newcomers Brentford at the Brentford Community Stadium on the final weekend.
Leeds United Key Facts
- Leeds returned to the Premier League last term for the first time since 2004
- Only six teams picked up more home points than the Whites last term
- United won ten away games in the 2020-21 PL season
- Leeds have been English champions three times, with their last triumph coming in 1992
Leeds United Transfer News: Who is on United’s radar?
Several old heads have departed Leeds this summer. The versatile Ezgjan Alioski has left after failing to agree a new deal, while Pablo Hernandez and Gaetano Berardi have also moved on. A few more could head for the exit door before the season begins in August.
Bielsa wanted to tie down a couple of his current stars. Last month, Wales international Tyler Roberts signed a new three-year deal at Elland Road. Stuart Dallas was instrumental for Leeds last term, and the Northern Ireland man signed on the dotted line in early July, keeping him at the club for another three years.
Leeds moved fast to sign a replacement for Alioski, bringing in Junior Firpo on a four-year deal. The full-back signed for a reported £12.8m fee. Jack Harrison has made his move from Man City permanent. The 24-year-old has impressed during his long stint at Elland Road and signed for an £11m fee.
Many names have popped up since last season came to an end, including Conor Gallagher and Daniel James. However, keeping Kalvin Phillips, who has become a fully-fledged England international, could be their best bit of business this summer.
Who Are Leeds’ Biggest Challengers: Can the Whites break into Europe?
Leeds were one of the surprise packages in the Premier League last season. Not many people tipped them to make an instant return to the Championship, but not many would have had them down for a top-half finish, either. An excellent end to their campaign saw the Yorkshire club finish in ninth spot on 59 points.
Leeds are one of a number of clubs with European aspirations this season. They could face a fierce battle with the likes of Arsenal, West Ham United and Leicester City – among others – for a UEFA Europa League spot. Could they even gate-crash the UEFA Champions League party? Who are likely to be Leeds’ biggest rivals this season?
Arsenal Preview: Gunners eyeing up a European return?
Arsenal have been going backwards in recent years, but there have been signs of life under Mikel Arteta. The London club have no European football to contend with for the first time in 26 years. Nevertheless, not being in Europe could be a blessing as the Gunners look to break back into the top four.
Last year, Leeds finished just two points behind the London outfit. They also played out a 0-0 draw at Elland Road, though the reverse fixture at the Emirates ended in a 4-2 win for Arsenal. These two could be evenly matched once again this season.
West Ham United Preview: Can the Hammers kick on?
Like Leeds, David Moyes’ West Ham United were one of the surprise packages in the Premier League last season. The Hammers flirted with the Champions League places for a large chunk of the campaign. Despite missing out on the top four in the end, West Ham finished in sixth and sealed a spot in the Europa League.
With some new signings, United are more than capable of building on last season’s success. However, keeping star man Declan Rice is a must. Rice has been sensational for the Irons since breaking on to the scene in Stratford, but the likes of Chelsea, Man United and Man City are all reportedly keeping tabs on the England international.
Leicester City Preview: Can the Foxes finally finish in the top four?
Since arriving from Celtic, Brendan Rodgers has done an exceptional job at the King Power Stadium. The ex-Liverpool manager has almost taken the Foxes into the Champions League twice, missing out on the final weekend in each of the last two seasons. However, they did beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final last term.
Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho struck up an excellent partnership, while the likes of James Maddison and Youri Tielemans also impressed. Tielemans has been linked with a move away, but the Foxes have already been busy in the transfer market, bringing Ryan Bertrand and Patson Daka to the King Power Stadium.
Leeds players to watch out for in the 2021-22 season: Bamford to shine again?
Patrick Bamford had an excellent season in the top flight last time around. The former Norwich City and Middlesbrough man was a regular starter for Bielsa, and Bamford paid his boss back with a hatful of goals. Overall, the striker scored 17 times in the Premier League, with only Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes netting more. Bamford will be looking for another fruitful season in front of goal.
Kalvin Phillips has gone from strength to strength since making his Leeds debut in the Championship way back in April 2015. His performances were recognised by England boss Gareth Southgate, who has made Phillips a mainstay in the Three Lions team. As we touched on, keeping Phillips could be Leeds’ best bit of transfer business before the window slams shut, especially with Liverpool sniffing around. If he stays, Phillips will remain a vital cog in Leeds’ midfield machine.
Our Leeds United Predictions: Can Leeds sneak into top six?
Second-season syndrome has hurt many a promoted club in the Premier League since it all started back in 1992. However, we can see this Leeds team going from strength to strength while the experienced Bielsa is at the helm.
Leeds will have European aspirations this season, and a top-six spot might not be too far away. At the generous odds of 5/1, they are definitely worth having a few quid on. For any Leeds fans feeling brave enough, you can currently get 12/1 for your team to break into the Champions League places.
