Jeff Stelling predicts Leeds United will be promoted to the Premier League this season, despite admitting he was wrong the previous season.
Leeds finished third in the Championship last season, reaching the play-off final but losing 1-0 to Southampton.
Stelling believes the Whites will be successful in their attempts this time around, referencing their fans as a driving factor as they begin the 2024/25 campaign against Portsmouth.
He remarked on Talksport (6 August, 06:38): “I think Leeds have got a great chance. I think they’ll go up. Mind you, I expected them to last season as well.
“Leeds play Portsmouth. What a start. That’s a great game. Two fantastic sets of fans, with Portsmouth now back in the big time.”
Leeds United favourites for Championship title
Stelling can be forgiven for backing Leeds for promotion two years on the trot. Daniel Farke’s side are far and away the best squad in the division.
After edging so close to promotion last season, another campaign in the Championship has hit the Whites hard over the summer and led to the sales of two of their prized assets – Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville signed for Tottenham and West Ham United respectively.
The Whites have been given a favourable opening fixture against newly promoted Portsmouth and will need to begin the campaign with an emphatic win, with ties against West Brom, Hull City, Norwich City, Burnley and Sheffield United awaiting the side in their opening ten matches.
Leeds will be under tremendous pressure to impress this season. They are heavy favourites for the title (Opta Analyst), and Farke must seek for automatic promotion to avoid another heartbreaking play-off final.
The fans is recognized as one of the best in the country, and their support will be required to carry the team through what will be a difficult Championship season. This weekend marks the beginning of the action at Elland Road.
