"I'd be really surprised" - Sky Sports pundit drops exciting Leeds United prediction despite "staggering stat" | OneFootball

Don Goodman has provided his thoughts on Leeds United and Daniel Farke in the race for automatic promotion.

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes Leeds United are the best team in the league and expects them to overtake Sheffield United and to win the Championship title.

The race for automatic promotion from the Championship is heating up by the game at the moment, with Leeds securing a crucial seven points over the last week. That included an impressive 3-1 win over Middlesbrough in midweek as well.

Optimism has remained high at Elland Road despite finishing third in the Championship with an impressive 90 points last season and then losing at Wembley to Southampton in the play-off final. They lost key players, namely Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, and Archie Gray, but maintained a strong squad with impressive signings in the summer.

Promotion from the second tier to the Premier League is arguably one of the most important achievements for any EFL club. Not only does it provide the financial windfall of Premier League revenue, but it also elevates a club’s stature, attracting better players and sponsorship deals and the ability to establish a club in the elite.

For clubs like Leeds, the Blades, Sunderland, and more, — who are well-established in English football — returning to the top-flight is about more than just finances, as it is also about feeling at home and in their rightful place among the very best English football has to offer.

For clubs with parachute payments, and Premier League wage bills, there is even greater incentive. Leeds are a second-year team in that respect, thus they had to cut their cloth accordingly in the summer, but have every right to believe they can achieve their goal at the second time of asking under Daniel Farke.

Don Goodman's verdict on Leeds United in 2024/25

Don Goodman has been speaking to Football League World via CoinPoker, where he was asked about Leeds' promotion hopes and if he is more confident than ever that the Whites will win promotion. He said: “Leeds United are the best team in the Championship.

“Generally, they've got the best players in the league. That doesn't mean you'll win all your games, though.

“We've seen Leeds struggle a little away from home, winning just one of their last seven on the road. That's a staggering stat given the quality they have.

“There's still plenty of room for improvement and that's the problem for the league. Leeds are only going to get better when they get players back from injury.

“Their next run of games are favourable, too, playing four of their next five fixtures against teams in the bottom half. It all looks good for Leeds United and I can't come up with a logical argument to say they won't finish in the top two.

“I'd be really surprised if they don't win the title as a matter of fact, even with Sheffield United currently sitting pretty at the top.”

Leeds' bullish promotion ambitions are justified

Over the past 15 Championship seasons, only two sides have failed to gain promotion after picking up 40 points from their first 20 league games, which both the Blades and the Whites have done. Farke’s Leeds are in second, looking to build on a strong first half of the season with some favourable fixtures beginning with Oxford United this weekend.

Of course, the threats from Burnley under Scott Parker, Sunderland under Regis Le Bris, and Michael Carrick’s project at Middlesbrough can’t be ignored. However, they face a far more favourable fixture list compared to their promotion rivals as we head towards 2025.

Playing teams like Oxford, Stoke City, Derby County, Hull City, and Sheffield Wednesday – all of whom sit outside the top ten in the division. This is a crucial stretch where Farke's side could and should gain ground, especially with tougher tests coming later in the season.

At their best, Leeds have hit higher heights than almost any team this season, and Goodman's view of them being the best side feels justified, even if the league table says there is more work to do. Per FotMob, Leeds have created the most chances and generated the most xG in the league this season, recently surpassing Middlesbrough.

At the other end, the inverse is also true. Leeds have allowed for the lowest xGA, with both they and Scott Parker's Burnley well out in front in that respect. It's certainly a recipe for success at both ends.