Leeds United lead the Premier League in incredibly niche stat this season

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Leeds United are a Premier League club in an era of football where there are a multitude of stats available to measure numerous niche metrics.

Every slight edge is necessary these days, including knowing what your opponent is up to down to the most minute detail. It’s something all clubs will be doing, including Leeds United.

For example, Opta are a data provider who analyse this type of thing. The club will have their own in-house version of the technology to analyse players and teams in more detail.

One of the things they are able to do is assess the quality and performance levels of each, which is why Opta believe Leeds are a better team than Sunderland despite what the league table is saying.

The team ratings mean that Opta believe Leeds have an easier fixture run now than their start to the campaign. The proof will be on the pitch, but the models are often a solid indicator at this early stage.

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Opta’s niche Leeds reveal for their Premier League games

Such has been the start to the season that Opta are now expecting Leeds to survive relegation as well. Their model had Leeds 19th in pre-season predictions.

Now, their model has been keeping track of other things as well. Not only do they track underlying performance data, but more niche aspects of the sport.

Leeds are seeing the most action in games, for example. Opta looked into how long a Premier League game actually is and how much time the ball is in play in reality? In terms of the percentage of time the ball is in play, Leeds are top.

The explanation details that, despite being recently promoted and considered underdogs in most of their games, Leeds are averaging the longest ball-in-play time in the Premier League this season at 56 minutes and 48 seconds.

That is 57.5% of total match minutes and they state that it either means Daniel Farke is happy for his side to get on with it, or the opposition are generally doing their utmost to keep the ball in play.

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Opta’s power ranking for Leeds in the Premier League

Opta have also updated their power rankings prior to the international break. They believe that the Premier League has six of the best 10 sides in the world.

That can be extended to 10 of the top 17, which highlights the quality in the division and the size of the task facing Leeds this season.

Leeds are the third-worst side, per their power rating. However, they are incredibly close to Wolves and West Ham United and that could change in a matter of weeks.