Leeds United top the Premier League for remarkable stat, Sunderland beware
When Leeds United entered December, hardly anyone could have predicted their rapid rise away from relegation.
Since Leeds were beaten 3-2 by Manchester City on November 29, Daniel Farke’s men have picked up eight points from a possible 12 in the Premier League.
Last time out, Leeds thrashed Crystal Palace 4-1 to move six points clear of the bottom three and give them some much-needed breathing room over Christmas.
During their purple patch, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been in red-hot form with six goals in five matches, and the Englishman has helped them become dangerous in a key area.
Leeds United top the Premier League for set-piece goals
In years gone by, teams that survive in the top flight are normally robust, difficult to beat physically, and strong from set pieces, with the West Yorkshire outfit becoming that team.
Following Farke’s change to a 3-5-2 formation in the loss at Man City, Leeds have won the physical battle against their opponents more often than not, while posing a huge threat from dead-ball situations.
Remarkably, all four of their goals against Palace were scored from a set-piece situation, overtaking Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea as the team with the most goals from dead balls.
| Premier League most set-piece goals scored |
| Leeds – 12 |
| Arsenal – 10 |
| Chelsea – 10 |
| Manchester United – 10 |
| Aston Villa, Tottenham, Newcastle – 8 |
Farke has expertly played to his side’s strengths, utilising their height in both boxes to become a side that is feared, especially from long throw-ins.
Leeds can punish Sunderland from set-pieces
Last season, Leeds versus Sunderland was a Championship match, and now the two sides will meet in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light.
Whilst the Peacocks are six points clear of West Ham in 18th, the Black Cats are flying in sixth position, and only two points shy of fourth-place Chelsea.
It promises to be a closely fought contest that could either be decided by a moment of brilliance, or perhaps some magic from a set-piece.
Sunderland are the third-best team at defending set-pieces, conceding just three times, with only Tottenham and Brentford conceding fewer.
Of course, that won’t fill Leeds fans with confidence, but how they dispatched Crystal Palace will, and they will be aiming to bully Regis Le Bris’ side on Saturday.
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