The last two Premier League seasons have seen all three promoted sides relegated back to the Championship at the first attempt – and Leeds United will be looking to break that trend.
Last season, Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town failed to put up any kind of a fight and were relegated. Now, it is the turn of Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland with all three spending big this summer.
Sunderland have already spent far north of £120m, having brought in Granit Xhaka from Leverkusen and stolen a march on Leeds with new signings Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki and Reinildo Mandava on a free.
Leeds, meanwhile, have spent £80m on seven additions with Anton Stach costing the most at £19.9m. With the Premier League starting in nine days, Jeff Stelling had his say on Leeds’ chances of survival.
Jeff Stelling thinks the Premier League trend will be broken
Alan Shearer predicted the trend of promoted sides being relegated to end in 2025-26, and it appears Stelling shares the same belief. He named Leeds first when giving his prediction on Wednesday morning.
Stelling told TalkSPORT (06/08, 8.20AM) that he feels Leeds will benefit from their home support before praising Sunderland’s work in the transfer window, including the addition of former Arsenal man Xhaka.
“This season, I think the pattern will be broken [three promoted teams going down]. Leeds are stronger, fantastic home crowd, Sunderland have gone for it in a big way. Granit Xhaka is a really big signing.”
Andy Townsend shares what Leeds have to do from the off
Stelling was discussing Leeds’ chances of survival with former Ireland midfielder Andy Townsend, and the latter outlined what promoted clubs must do this season to stand a chance of staying in the top tier.
He says that Daniel Farke’s side absolutely have to get off to a good start, with Leeds boasting a good chance of picking up a result with a home clash against Everton on the Monday night at Elland Road.
“For newly-promoted teams, if they get off to a good start it can really catapult you and you get a bit of momentum. When you get off to a bad start, lose four out of your first five, confidence starts to go a bit.
“What I’d like to say from those teams this season, be a bit more direct. Disrupt teams. If I’m being critical, too many promoted teams have tried to play, play, play. You play into the hands of better teams,” he said.
Following the opener against Everton, Leeds then take on Arsenal at The Emirates followed by a return to Elland Road to host Newcastle. A tricky start against three established Premier League sides for Leeds.
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