Football Season Guide

The tactical tweak of shifting from a back four to a 3-4-2-1 formation midway through a game away at Manchester City back in December not only helped Daniel Farke save his job, but it also turned Leeds’ season around, with the newly-promoted side finishing 14th and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals. The departures of starters Pascal Struijk and Karl Darlow could have left gaps, but Leeds have filled them, with Tarik Muharemovic and James Trafford providing them quality upgrades in both positions. They also added experience to their attack by bringing in Harry Wilson - Fulham’s top performer last season. Given that only four players participated in the World Cup, with Noah Okafor being the only one whose team went relatively deep into the tournament, Farke has had most of his squad at his disposal during pre-season, giving him valuable time to prepare for the new campaign. Leeds strength lies in Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson, as Farke boasts two modern full-backs to support his back-three formation, providing essential width and attacking energy. Away form is a clear area for improvement, with Leeds winning just two matches on the road last season and collecting only 15 points, the third-lowest tally in the league.