Leeds United to miss out on automatic promotion amid ‘weaker’ verdict
Leeds United will miss out on automatic promotion to the Premier League this season, according to The Sun’s Justin Allen.
On the eve of the new Championship campaign [8 August], chief EFL writer Allen made a bold call in his league prediction article in claiming Daniel Farke’s side would have to settle for promotion via the play-offs.
This would of course go one better than last term, but the onus is on the title favourites to secure a top-two spot with Allen arguing Farke’s squad is weaker than in 2023-24.
Allen reasoned: “Daniel Farke hopes to take Leeds up at the second attempt but, as things stand, his squad is weaker than when they lost the play-off final to Southampton.
“Championship player-of-the-year Crysencio Summerville has gone to West Ham, local wonderkid Archie Gray to Tottenham and Glen Kamara to Rennes.
“They have, however, brought in Sheffield United right-back Jayden Bogle and midfielder Joe Rothwell on loan from Bournemouth. They will be up there but I’m not convinced about top two.”
Leeds United must harness pressure the right way
Whilst Allen’s comments on Farke’s squad do carry some logic, the writer’s view is in the minority when it comes to the fortunes of Leeds this season.
Many both internally and externally are expecting the Whites to achieve what they had planned to last term before becoming sluggish at precisely the wrong time.
Allen does back Leeds to win the play-offs and join Burnley and Sheffield United back in the Premier League for 2025-26, with Luton Town the sole relegated team to miss out on an immediate return.
In a squad with plenty of young players and Farke ready to hold faith in some to step up, the team must harness the pressure from both inside the club and the prying eyes outside it to perform well.
Nails will be bitten straight away if the Yorkshiremen cannot pick up an opening weekend win over new boys Portsmouth – who have ambitions of their own as somewhat of an unknown quantity back at this level.
Farke understands the task at hand, and now it’s time for him to convey that to his evolving squad.
In other Leeds news, the club look set to miss out on another winger.
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