Based on last season’s finishing position of Leeds’ 2023/24 opponents, the Whites will be eased into their return to the second tier, theoretically at least.
That is according to football statisticians Opta, who have calculated each Championship side’s start to the season to determine how difficult their opening set of fixtures are.
Leeds dropped into the Championship last month after defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the Premier League campaign condemned the club to relegation after a three-year stay in the top flight.
Heading down with the Whites are Leicester City and Southampton, both of whom will enjoy relatively straight-forward starts on paper in 2023/24.
Leeds’ first two league fixtures – against Cardiff City at Elland Road and a trip to St. Andrew’s Stadium to face Birmingham City – will be separated by a midweek engagement in the Carabao Cup versus Shrewsbury Town.
Here is a difficulty breakdown of each Championship team’s start to the season.
13. Norwich City: 12th
Norwich's start has them up against Southampton early on, but also the likes of Hull, Millwall, Huddersfield and Rotherham. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) Photo: Clive Mason
14. Swansea City: 11th
The Swans' most difficult fixture in their first five - on paper - is facing West Bromwich Albion on matchweek two. Aside from that, it's encounters with Birmingham, Coventry, Preston and Bristol City. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) Photo: Dan Istitene
15. Preston North End: 10th
PNE take on Bristol City on the opening weekend, followed by Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea before a game against Stoke City. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Photo: Stu Forster
16. Stoke City: 9th
Rotherham on the opening day gives Stoke a good chance to build early momentum, which they'll need if they're to beat Ipswich, Watford, Millwall and Preston in their next four. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) Photo: Nathan Stirk
17. Millwall: 8th
Gary Rowett's Millwall haven't been handed an easy start by any stretch but they impressed last season so should be able to handle themselves. Boro, Birmingham, Norwich, Stoke and Bristol City await them. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images) Photo: Ashley Allen
18. Ipswich Town: 7th
Kieran McKenna's Ipswich have the potential to be a surprise package this season. They face Leeds on matchweek four but also face Cardiff and QPR in their opening five. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images) Photo: Ashley Allen