When it comes to the favourites for promotion to the Premier League, there is always one name at the top of every bookmakers' list, Leeds United.

Whether that comes from their illustrious history or their incredibly well thought out transfer policies, the men from West Yorkshire have always been hotly tipped to reach the promised land of the Premier League.

At the time of writing, Leeds are sat top of both the Sky Bet Championship and most bookies list of promotion candidates. But still Leeds haven't managed to reach the top tier.

Last season Marcelo Bielsa's side topped the division for long spells but slipped into the play-off places in the run in. This was where they faced Derby County. An opposition that they had managed to convincingly complete a league double over.

Even the first leg of the play-off semi final went in Leeds' favour. Kemar Roofe's second half strike was enough to give the side from Yorkshire a slender advantage going into the second leg at Elland Road.

But just as Leeds fans started to get excited, their side slipped to a 4-2 loss. With Derby County managing to slip into the final against Aston Villa.

After the heartache of that play-off defeat, Bielsa has rejuvenated his troops and recruited well. The Argentine has guided his side to the top of the Sky Bet Championship. The Whites have gone unbeaten in the league with four wins from the first five which has seen them storm ahead of the rest of the competition.

Here are three ways in which Leeds have already shown their promotion credentials...

1) New recruits settling in well

Leeds United turned heads when they unveiled the signings of Eddie Nketiah and Helder Costa. The latter had been an integral part in the phenomenal Wolves side that had cruised to the title just 12 months previous. The Portuguese wide midfielder had unlocked several defences, provided many goal contributions for the West Midland side.

Despite not earning himself a start for his new club thus far, he has been extremely impressive. His performances in the Carabao Cup have shown Leeds supporters just a glimpse of what he is capable of.

Eddie Nketiah was a bit of an unknown entity when he arrived at Elland Road. A product of the Arsenal academy who had only just broken into the first team set-up at The Emirates. It was always unlikely for him to find a pathway into the side with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang currently at the club therefore the young English talent needed a loan spell to experience proper first team football.

Just five days after penning a season-long loan, the Arsenal loanee was thrown into the line-up at Sky Bet League Two new boys Salford City. Its always important for a striker to get his first goal at a new club and just 43 minutes into his Leeds debut, he found the back of the net.

Perhaps what will endear him to the Leeds faithful most was a goal in his first game at Elland Road. An 81st minute winner against Brentford, in a game where the Londoners were trying to grind out a draw, lift the roof off the stadium. A pacey and prolific centre-forward, perhaps something different to what Leeds have currently and also replaces Kemar Roofe who left to join Vincent Kompany's Anderlecht.

2) Bamford is on fire

In order to secure promotion from any division, a 20 goal a season man is almost always needed to drag you into the promotion places. Every successful team has one. Patrick Bamford may be that man for Leeds United this season.

The Grantham-born centre-forward has hit the ground running so far this campaign. Leeds' number nine has managed four goals in his first five games, including a brace at Wigan. In just five games, he has managed to score nearly half as many leagues goals as he did in the whole of the last campaign.

But why is this? Bielsa has put his trust in Bamford. Last season, he only made 22 appearances in the Sky Bet Championship, this suggests that Bielsa trusted Roofe to put the ball in the back of the net. The responsibility has been passed over to Bamford this campaign and he is certainly repaying that faith shown in him.

It isn't just Bamford's stunning form in front of goal, his overall game is improving week on week. His hold up play has hugely improved with the ball seeming to stick more rather than finding an opposing defender. After having over a year with the Argentine manager, it is clear that he is becoming tactically better and he now understands his role in the side.

3) Unbeaten on the road

Typically, winning away from home is far tougher. The hostile crowd can play a big part in how the opposition play and potentially sway refereeing decisions. At Elland Road, the Leeds faithful have this in abundance. A ground where opposing players hate to visit, it is almost as if they are beaten before they step onto the pitch.

The Championship is full of grounds that are hostile, with extremely good atmospheres dotted around the country. However, Leeds have not faltered on the road yet this season. Wins at Bristol City, Wigan and Stoke, which are difficult grounds to go to, have seen them rise to the top of the table.

Most famously Stoke is an incredibly difficult place to go with several of the country's biggest clubs struggling to get anything from the constant bombardment from the terraces and the pitch.

Winning your home games and not losing your away games is often branded about as the key to success for any team but with Leeds' excellent form both home and away could suggest a belated return to the Premier League.