The fixtures for Leeds United have been confirmed for the 24/25 season and while Daniel Farke will be assured of promotion next term, there is pressure on the opening fixtures.
Leeds returned to the Championship last season and came very close to securing an immediate return to the top flight, finishing in the top two before losing in the play-off final to Southampton.
Their second season represents a dip in the overall standard of the division, but the pressure is still on for the 49ers and Daniel Farke to step up.
Wednesday morning saw the confirmation of the EFL fixtures for the 24/25 season, with Leeds’ 46-game campaign lined up:
Leeds’ first eight games present a severe test for the Whites:
August 10: Portsmouth (H)
August 17: West Brom (A)
August 24: Sheffield Wednesday (A)
August 31: Hull City (H)
September 14: Burnley (H)
September 21: Cardiff City (A)
September 28: Coventry City (H)
It’s impossible to say at this stage how these opening games will go as we don’t know what the Leeds team will be and what our opponents will look like.
However, it is a clear fact that promotion to the top two is the only goal this season.
Farke treated last season as something of a free kick, insisting he was delighted Leeds were even close to promotion, given a slow start due to extenuating circumstances off the pitch.
Not so this time and he has had a year to inject ideas and provide the core of this side while many of our promotion rivals face major changes with new coaches or key player departures.
It’s certainly a tough start to the season for Leeds in those eight games mentioned, with at least four top-six contenders, while Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City will be hoping to reach the top half.
The title won’t be decided in those eight, but Leeds can set the tone for their season with these games, especially the one against Burnley, and if Farke doesn’t get that first run, he faces an uphill battle both mentally and in terms of performances.