Team Focus - Leeds odds and verdict: Yorkshire club to consolidate top-half spot

When Leeds United returned to the Premier League last season after 16 years in exile, many wondered whether manager Marcelo Bielsa would alter his relentless pressing game and attacking approach. An opening day 4-3 defeat at Anfield dispelled that notion.

Bielsa’s side ran further than their opponents in every game last season bar their 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Etihad, which they played for 45 minutes with ten men.

Critics speculated that this taxing style of play would cause the squad to break down later in the season and falter. However, only Liverpool gained more points than Leeds in the last 11 games of the season.

The Whites won the second-most games and points of any promoted team in Premier League history and scored the most goals, with 62.

A top-half finish was probably beyond most fans' expectations but Bielsa’s side managed to reach that mark for the first time since the 2001-02 season.

Patrick Bamford’s 17 goals and an impressive first season from Raphinia combined with Jack Harrison fulfilling his significant potential to give the attacking edge Bielsa wanted.

In midfield, England’s Kalvin Phillips played a star role and perhaps one of Leeds’s long term issues will be keeping the 25-year-old at his home-town club.

The summer has seen some of the elder statesmen who were instrumental in Leeds’s rise depart the club, with Pablo Hernandez, Ezgjan Alioksi and Barry Douglas leaving.

Loan signing Harrison has moved from Manchester City permanently and left-back Junior Firpo joined the Barcelona exodus to relocate to Yorkshire. Young Chelsea midfielder Lewis Bate has also joined the club.

After such an impressive first year in the Premier League, many teams would be susceptible to second-season syndrome but Bielsa seems to have found the right balance in his side and Leeds should continue their good work.

Scouting report

Manager - Marcelo Bielsa: The hugely influential manager and his relentless style have revolutionised Leeds. His infamous 'murderball' training sessions have helped a group he took over when they were 13th in the Championship become a top-half Premier League team with much the same squad.

Probable team - 4-1-4-1: Meslier; Ayling, Lllorente, Struijk, Firpo; Phillips; Raphinia, Klich, Dallas, Harrison; Bamford

Penalty taker: Patrick Bamford, Mateusz Klich
Set-piece aerial threat: Diego Llorente
Card magnet: Kalvin Phillips
Star man: Kalvin Phillips
Breakthrough prospect: Pascal Struijk

Team strengths

• Relentless pressing game
• Fluid attacking style
• Young side with players who will improve

Team weaknesses

• Can be open at the back due to style of play
• Have yet to nail down best central defensive partnership
• The striking department behind Bamford could be stronger

Prospects: After such an impressive first season, Leeds will look to consolidate their position in the top half of the table. The signings of Junior Firpo and Jack Harrison are shrewd and a repeat of last season's finish looks likely.

Inside Info - Tom Hill, LUTV commentator: After an incredible season under Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds should be able to secure another mid-table finish this year. The Whites have strengthened their defence with the signing of Junior Firpo, and with their passionate fans set to return to Elland Road, they can continue to lay the foundations for a push towards Europe in the years to come.

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