Jeff Stelling makes Leeds United fans claim in new promotion prediction
Jeff Stelling has predicted Leeds United will gain Premier League promotion this season, although he accepts he got the same prediction wrong last season.
Leeds finished third in the Championship last term, reaching the play-off final and losing 1-0 to Southampton.
Stelling believes the Whites will be successful in their attempts this time around, referencing their fans as a driving factor as they begin the 2024/25 campaign against Portsmouth.
He said on Talksport (6 August, 06:38): “I think Leeds have got a great chance. I think they’ll go up. Mind you, I thought they would last season as well.
“Leeds against Portsmouth. What a start. That’s a great game. Two fantastic sets of fans, with Portsmouth now back in the big time.”
Leeds United favourites for Championship title
Stelling can be forgiven for backing Leeds for promotion two years on the trot. Daniel Farke’s side are far and away the best squad in the division.
After edging so close to promotion last season, another campaign in the Championship has hit the Whites hard over the summer and led to the sales of two of their prized assets – Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville signed for Tottenham and West Ham United respectively.
The Whites have been given a favourable opening fixture against newly promoted Portsmouth and will need to begin the campaign with an emphatic win, with ties against West Brom, Hull City, Norwich City, Burnley and Sheffield United awaiting the side in their opening ten matches.
Leeds will be under immense pressure to perform this season. They are heavy favourites for the title (Opta Analyst) and automatic promotion has to be the aim for Farke to avoid another play-off final heartbreak.
The fanbase is regarded as one of the best in the country and their support will be necessary to lift the side across what will be a gruelling Championship campaign. It all begins at Elland Road this weekend.
In other Leeds United news, the club could be planning a triple signing before the transfer window closes.
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