Leeds United manager Daniel Farke with a golden Premier League crest, trending up and down arrows and Elland Road in the background
Daniel FarkeTung Manh Phan, Breaking Media

How Daniel Farke must use break to elicit Leeds United upgrades in Premier League stats reveal

James Barker

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with editorial experience at Football League World. FOCUS Statistical analysis and long-form opinion across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT James utilises data and a network of club contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis. He provides the statistical depth and editorial judgment behind the stories to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Daniel Farke must be delighted with how his Leeds United side have started the 2026-27 season.

Through the opening five Premier League games of the new campaign, Leeds remain unbeaten.

Two wins and three draws have kept the Whites ticking along nicely, as they enter the international break sitting fifth in the table.

As a result, Whites fans will already be dreaming of a potential European tour next season.

But whilst fans can and should allow themselves to get carried away, it's Farke's responsibility to keep himself and his players grounded.

Leeds aren't the finished article this season by any means, and there are some areas that need addressing over the next three weeks.

Why the attack should be Leeds' focus area during international break

Perhaps the main reason as to why Leeds find themselves fifth at this stage of the season is their defence.

The Whites defence has been breached on just three occasions in the league, and they are yet to concede more than a single goal in any game.

So, as far as Leeds' recipe for a memorable season goes, the essential ingredient of a watertight defence has been added to the pot.

On the other hand, there is work to be done in the attacking phases, as detailed via their underling numbers as per FotMob.

Leeds rank joint-16th for the fewest shots on target per game average of 3.6, whilst placing joint-13th for big chances created with 10.

More of a by-product of a counter-attacking approach, Farke's side do still rank 18th for accurate passes per game with 278.6.

The Whites are joint-15th for accurate crosses per game with 3.4, and 14th for their 98 touches in the opposition box.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (three) is the only Leeds player to score more than one league goal this season too, so Farke needs more to start chipping in.

So, making improvements going forward will be key in the long-run, but why must upgrades happen in this area straight after the break too?

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke with a golden Premier League crest, trending up and down arrows and Elland Road in the background
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Why we're set to learn a lot about Leeds immediately after the break

Leeds' start has been hugely impressive, and nobody should take that away from them.

That being said, Brighton and Brentford are the two best sides they've faced so far.

Whilst both looking like very good teams in their own right, the Bees nor the Seagulls are likely to be true title contenders this season.

Arsenal, on the other hand, will be, and it's the defending champions who Leeds play in the very first game back after the break on 10 October.

Then there's the small matter of Man United at Elland Road after the Gunners.

So, some big tests are awaiting Leeds right on the other side of this three-week pause, so Farke and his coaches must use the time well to prepare.

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