Leeds United Premier League Specials 2020/21

There have been numerous occasions in the past in which a recently promoted side from the Championship has done exceptionally well and finished in the top six. The most recent example includes Leicester City, who won the title in 2015/16 season, just a year after almost facing an immediate drop.

Although other teams in the past have also completed this feat at the first time of asking, such as Ipswich Town in 2000/01, Newcastle United in 1993/94, Nottingham Forest in 1994/95.

Leeds top six odds, out of the recently promoted sides, are more favoured, and with the recent trend of promoted teams taking the league by storm, there is no reason why they can’t be one of them - Leeds top six odds sit at 14/1.

Back in the 2017/18 campaign, Brighton & Hove Albion manager, Chris Hughton, as well as Huddersfield manager, David Wagner, both won PL Manager of the Month Award with a newly promoted side. This season, some would argue that Sheffield United manager, Chris Wilder, was robbed of the award at stages following their impressive performances throughout last season.

With Leeds potentially poised for an impressive season, Marcelo Bielsa’s odds to win a Premier League Manager of the Month Award are 6/1. One drawback that could occur is that the fixture list has not been presented yet; this could hinder his chances significantly.

Bielsa could win the manager of the month award fighting relegation or battling for the top six - there are so many intriguing aspects to this upcoming Leeds season.

Since the 2013/14 season, Manchester City’s record against newly-promoted sides has been incredible, with only three losses out of 42 games, 32 of which resulted in wins. The only teams to have beat city were Norwich City last season, Burnley in 2015/16 and Cardiff City in 2013/14.

No team who has been recently promoted has completed the double over Manchester City in that time period. Although, Norwich came close in a seemingly impossible time, anything could happen.

This season also saw both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United complete to double over City with the only other team to do that in the past four years being Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, back in the 2016/17 campaign.

Bielsa odds to do the double over City is priced at an incredible 100/1.

One team who have been invincible at home in the Premier League is Liverpool. The Reds have not lost at Anfield in the league since April 23, 2017, and have since gone 59 matches unbeaten in front of the Kop in the Premier League. Despite this season witnessing them drop points at home against Burnley, this subsequently equalled the highest number of wins at home in a campaign.

As the unbeaten run at home continues, Liverpool will get more pressure as the increase in media attention draws towards it, which could result in the status falling with the possibility of an unexpected win.

Leeds odds to complete the double over Liverpool are 50/1.

In the 2019/20 season, only Crystal Palace and Burnley were to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford this season. However, in their next games, both lost 0-2 to the Red Devils. Despite no team completing the double over United, eight teams successfully defeated the side coming close to this feat.

The promoted sides this season did not fare too well against the Red Devils, only clawing four points off them. In the previous season, however, the recently promoted Wolves did beat United but drew their first fixture coming closest to the double and have since had a slight stranglehold on the club.

Leeds fans will be looking forward to this fixture like no other and will want to find success against this United side that is far from what it was the last time these two met in the league.

Leeds to do the double over Man United have odds of 33/1 ahead of the new season.

Last campaign, Chelsea did well against recently promoted sides winning both fixtures against Aston Villa and Norwich City. However, when they faced Sheffield United, they did poorly as Chris Wilder’s men took four points from them and ultimately forced them into fourth at the end of the season and not third.

Frank Lampard’s men lost 12 games this year in the league, with clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United and West Ham all completing the double over them. 16th placed Hammers won both their fixtures against Chelsea, which will give a significant boost to any side that is coming into the league. Although, the Blues have strengthened in the transfer window already with Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech and Lampard's men may surprise a lot of us this campaign.

Leeds odds to complete the double over Chelsea are 25/1, which is the lowest out of all the top four teams this season.

Last season in the domestic cups, Leeds were poor once again and they have not threatened much at all in either the League Cup or FA Cup in quite some time. Since they were relegated into the Championship 16 years ago, the Whites have reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup twice, whilst they have only advanced as far as the fifth round twice since 2003.

In the last campaign, Bielsa’s men failed to reach even the third round of the Carabao Cup after losing to Stoke City on penalties, although, being a Premier League side, the White's will start their season in the second round this season.

The FA Cup last time out saw Leeds once again exit at the third round stage after a defeat to Arsenal and this season, the focus will surely be more on survival than a trophy.

Although as the clubs at the top end often see these competitions as a chance to rest their star names, this is a solid chance for Bielsa to win something. This would be Leeds' first domestic trophy outside of the League One and Championship titles since they were the last team to win the old First Division in 1992.

Now, Leeds odds to win a trophy sit at a high 20/1.

In recent years, United have had up and down position finishes in the past four seasons. After finishing sixth in the 2017/18 season, United followed this with a second-place finish a year later, then the campaign that followed saw them drop back to sixth. Now, after climbing back to the third position, the trend they've set in recent years should fear the Old Trafford faithful.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as manager in 2013, United’s finishes have been of abysmal standards, not winning the title since and more worryingly, losing to teams they so easily beat under him. However, the Red Devils look to be back towards the top and are viewed as a more robust unit with Ole Gunnar Solkjaer at the wheel.

However, no matter the form or the circumstances, this is Leeds v United and all aspects will go out the window for such a memorable, enticing clash at both stadiums. Leeds to finish above United odds sit at 16/1.

Leeds star Kalvin Phillips featured in 37 games last season in the Championship and has quickly become of the brightest talents within the Whites' setup. Many experts and pundits have lauded Phillips as the best player in England, outside the Premier League, forcing much debate.

The English midfielder could be exactly what England need in weak defensive midfield, in an otherwise impressive squad that could threaten to win Euro 2021. As a result, a lot of people have claimed an England call-up is just around the corner for the 24-year-old, and now that he is in the Premier League against the very best, this is the perfect place to prove it.

With competition from players like Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice for the defensive midfield role, it is an awkward position to get into but with the Euros fast approaching. However, with Eric Dier far from a return to the Three Lions' side, another spot in the midfield is up for grabs ahead of the Euro's.

Kalvin Phillips receive an England cap before the end of the 2020/21 Premier League season odds are at 1/3, and this could happen as early as October, should he start the season well.