Leeds United will hope to build on an impressive seven-point start over the coming weeks with experts ranking their next five fixtures among the most favourable in the Premier League. Daniel Farke’s side have played a mixed bag of opponents so far from title-chasing Arsenal to rock-bottom Wolves, and for the most part they have competed well.
Before the season kicked off last month, Opta ranked Leeds’ opening five fixtures as the fourth-hardest across the Premier League so two wins and a draw is encouraging. What’s more is that from now until the start of November, the statistical experts believe Farke’s side will have a great run.
Using their Power Rankings - a database of over 15,000 teams that essentially ranks the quality of each outfit - as a reference point, Opta have now rated the difficulty of each Premier League side’s next five fixtures. And if their conclusions are accurate, Leeds could have a great opportunity to pick up points over the next few weeks.
7. West Ham United
Next 5 fixtures: Everton (A), Arsenal (A), Brentford (H), Leeds (A), Newcastle (H) | Opta difficulty rating: 91.5 | Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
8. Chelsea
Next 5 fixtures: Brighton (H), Liverpool (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Sunderland (H), Tottenham (A) | Opta difficulty rating: 91.2 | AFP via Getty Images
9. Bournemouth
Next 5 fixtures: Leeds (A), Fulham (H), Crystal Palace (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Man City (A) | Opta difficulty rating: 91.0 | Getty Images
10. Newcastle United
Next 5 fixtures: Arsenal (H), Nottingham Forest (H), Brighton (A), Fulham (H), West Ham (A) | Opta difficulty rating: 91.0 | Getty Images
11. Manchester United
Next 5 fixtures: Brentford (A), Sunderland (H), Liverpool (A), Brighton (H), Nottingham Forest (A) | Opta difficulty rating: 90.8 | Manchester United via Getty Images
12. Nottingham Forest
Next 5 fixtures: Sunderland (H), Newcastle (A), Chelsea (H), Bournemouth (A), Man Utd (A) | Opta difficulty rating: 90.6 | Nigel Roddis/Getty Images