Leeds United have endured an extremely difficult start to the season as they sit just one place above the relegation zone in the Premier League.
The Whites have won just once in nine matches, with their solitary victory coming before the international break as they defeated Watford 1-0 at Elland Road.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment for Leeds so far this season, though, is their failure to beat teams that are likely to be in and around the bottom of the table, which was something they were so successful at last term.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side completed league doubles over all of the three relegated sides last season, as well as Newcastle United, Burnley and Southampton, all of whom finished below Leeds in the table.
But this year that hasn’t been the case. Leeds were held to draws by both Newcastle and Burnley earlier in the season, and put in arguably their worst performance under Bielsa since their return to the Premier League in the recent 1-0 defeat at Southampton.
While injuries have been a major factor behind the slow start, their failure to dominate against inferior sides has left supporters with cause for concern ahead of a daunting Christmas period that is just around the corner.
The Whites will face trips to the league’s strongest three sides, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool, within the space of just two weeks.
A home fixture against a resurgent Arsenal side is also sandwiched in between that run of matches and given the recent form of that quartet, points maybe at a premium during the winter period.
Leeds gave a good account of themselves in all of those fixtures last year but based on this season’s performances, it will be a tough ask to get close to the four-point tally they achieved.
With that in mind, it is imperative that the Whites start picking up wins on a consistent basis in the next few weeks as they look to stave off the unthinkable of returning back to the Championship.
