Leeds United are well within their rights to see chances to make progress before the World Cup kicks off in November. The Whites will play eight Premier League games between now and the break and Jesse Marsch will be keen to see his side move up the table rather than down it in that time.
After seeing their last two games postponed due to the passing of the Queen, Leeds slipped out of the top half of the table over the weekend, but the next few matches could have a huge say on Leeds’ season overall. As such, Marsch will be encouraged by the fact that Leeds don’t seem to have such a tough run of games heading into the World Cup.
Based solely on current league standings, Leeds have the 10th hardest run over the next couple of months, with the average position of their scheduled opposition being 10.13. In that run Leeds take on table toppers Arsenal, third-placed Tottenham Hotspur and eighth-placed Liverpool, but they also face Leicester City, who are propping up the top flight and Crystal Palace, who are just two points off the relegation zone.
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Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Fulham are also due to travel to Elland Road in that time and irrespective of their current position, Marsch will be targeting maximum points in those games. It’s a run that provides Leeds with opportunities to make strides up the table, that is clear.
However, while no Premier League match can be considered easy, it’s fair to say Leeds’ run could have been kinder. In fact, of those currently in the bottom half of the table, only Villa and Southampton have tougher runs.
Steven Gerrard’s side have been below their best for the majority of the season so far, and they face the challenge of playing four of the current top seven. The average position of their upcoming opponents is 8.88, while Southampton, who face Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal in the coming weeks have the eighth hardest run with an average league position of 10.
Spurs have the toughest run between now and the World Cup, with their opponents’ position averaging 8. Antonio Conte’s side take on Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United, with 12th placed Bournemouth being the lowest on their immediate schedule. Villa have the second toughest overall, while Liverpool, who face each of the current top four have the third toughest run based on their opponents’ average standing of 9.
Newcastle United, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Brighton and Hove Albion all seem to have a tougher run of games than Leeds through October and November. Crystal Palace have the most fortunate schedule, it seems, with the average position of their upcoming opponents being 14.88. Palace will take on Wolves, West Ham United, Nottingham Forest and Leicester, who all occupy the bottom four, and Patrick Vieira will expect his side to climb the rankings during that time.
Leicester have the second softest run with an average standing of 13.5, while West Ham’s opponents average 12.25, despite upcoming clashes with sixth-placed Fulham, Liverpool and Man United. Predicting how the next eight Premier League match days will pan out is a thankless task, with a number of shocks and surprises to come.
However, a number of teams will be feeling confident heading into this key period and Leeds should be one of them.
Average position of opponent between now and the World Cup break
1. Tottenham – 8
2. Aston Villa – 8.88
3. Liverpool – 9
3. Newcastle United – 9
5. Manchester United – 9.25
6. Manchester City – 9.4
7. Chelsea – 9.63
8. Brighton and Hove Albion – 10
8. Southampton – 10
10. Leeds United – 10.13
11. Brentford – 10.75
11. Everton – 10.75
11. Fulham – 10.75
14. Nottingham Forest – 11.25
15. Arsenal – 11.3
16. Bournemouth – 11.75
16. Wolverhampton Wanderers – 11.75
18. West Ham United – 12.25
19. Leicester City – 13.5
20. Crystal Palace – 14.88
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