Leeds United are looking to survive relegation from the Premier League during their first season at the level after two campaigns in the Championship.
The Premier League is a different animal to the English second tier, with three seasons of top flight football in a row for 17 of Leeds United’s competitors this season.
Even if Leeds’ owners, the 49ers, have done their Premier League research, it is not a guarantee that the decision for Leeds to prioritise Premier League physicality will work.
That is via having superior size, athleticism, but also intensity and aggression. There also has to be increased focus on Leeds using set-pieces this season.
Shay Given on Leeds United’s Premier League survival chances
Above all, Leeds are intent on ensuring they are building a Premier League-ready Leeds team with experience. However, whether Farke has the tactical flexibility in the Premier League remains to be seen after failed attempts with Norwich City previously.
Leeds’ Premier League team is already significantly taller and more powerful, but Farke has to do better than his efforts with Norwich City previously. Leeds will hope he now has the tools to do so.
| Daniel Farke’s Premier League managerial record |
| Games – 49 |
| Wins – 6 |
| Draws – 8 |
| Losses – 35 |
| Points earned – 26 |
| Goals scored to conceded ratio – 31:101 |
A panel of Premier League experts and pundits have been providing their verdict on a number of topics for the official Premier League website, including who will survive and which new Premier League team will finish the highest.
One of the other areas they have covered is who the surprise package will be. Shay Given has selected Leeds under Farke. He said: “In the last two seasons, all three promoted teams went straight back down but I believe Leeds can stay up.”
Michael Owen, Don Hutchison, Matt Holland, and Glen Murray all selected Everton as theirs, while Tim Sherwood and Rob Green selected Man United. Leon Osman picked Sunderland for his.
Green thinks Farke will win Premier League Manager of the Season by getting them to safety but survival is the primary outcome, irrespective of how it comes about.
Simon Jordan reveals his view of Daniel Farke and Leeds’ survival chances
Simon Jordan is also backing Leeds to do well. He said on talkSPORT: “I wouldn’t be surprised if the two of them make a really good fist of it and give themselves a good chance.
“If you ask me to put a bet on Burnley and Leeds staying up, I’d take that bet. I’d bet on it.
“I’d be quite happy to put £100 on each one of them. I’d have a go at that because it’s worth a punt.
“Confident in the fact that the managers are capable enough to get them out of the division. If you want to judge Daniel Farke you’ve got to judge him by the fairness of the opportunities he was given.
“He was at Norwich, there wasn’t a lot of investment in the squad.
“I think if you go up to the Premier League and you get given over two seasons £50-60m quid, you are a hostage to fortune and you’re going to get the outcomes that ultimately you get, which is being in amongst the relegation battle.
“Forest spent a king’s ransom and just about stayed in the division the first season round, Villa the same, just about stayed in.
“So there’s an element of luck, fortune, good buys and good management but you give yourself a bit more of a chance to be in the way of good luck if you’ve got better players helping you with it.”
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