https://twitter.com/LUFCDATA/status/1157985230407589888?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwLeeds have been on the outside looking in at the Premier League for the past 15 years. It is hard to fathom how a club of such standing in the English has gone so long without competing at the highest level. Marcelo Bielsa came close to breaking their drought last season in his first term at Elland Road. However, the Whites were unable to keep pace with Norwich City and Sheffield United down the stretch in the battle for automatic promotion.A run of three defeats in their final four Championship matches of the campaign forced Bielsa and his team into the playoffs. They were seemingly in charge of their contest against Derby County, taking a 1-0 lead into the second leg at Elland Road. However, Leeds imploded in the second half under pressure, allowing the Rams to score three times to advance to Wembley, although they themselves were beaten by Aston Villa. As a result, it’s Villa whose odds will be found at https://www.paddypower.com/football/english-premier-league over the course of the campaign, while Leeds are forced to battle it out in the second tier for another year at the least.Bielsa has not been overly active in the transfer market, although perhaps Leeds best business of the summer was retaining the services of home-grown product Kalvin Phillips in the middle of the park. He has developed into one of the best midfielders outside of the Premier League, and consequently was sought by several top-flight clubs. However, the Yorkshire outfit rebuffed their advances, despite lucrative offers according to https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9494351/tottenham-kalvin-phillips-transfer-jack-clarke/, to keep their lynchpin.Pablo Hernandez scored 12 goals and provided 12 assists last term. The 34-year-old ensured that he started the season on a strong note with a stunner in his side’s win over Bristol City on the opening day. Keeping the Spaniard fit and firing will be a key priority for Bielsa as the loss of Kemar Roofe has robbed Leeds of goals in the final third. Hernandez and Patrick Bamford will have to maintain their form throughout the term as there is not a great deal of depth beyond the duo.The loan signings of Helda Costa and Eddie Nketiah will be vital to alleviate the pressure. Costa was part of the Wolves squad that won the Championship in 2018, although his best campaign came the year before when he found the net 10 times in 36 appearances. Nketiah does not have a lot of experience under his belt, but he has been bright for Arsenal during pre-season. He did score twice as an 18-year-old to help the Gunners defeat Norwich in the EFL Cup two years ago. Nketiah has the opportunity to make a statement as past loanees have in the Championship in the mould of Tammy Abraham, who is expected, by https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/players/lampard-chelsea-abraham-pulisic-batshuayi-16636518, to be a key role player for Chelsea in the Premier League.

Goals will be vital for the Whites after the sale of Pontus Jansson to Brentford. The Swede was arguably their best defender. Liam Cooper will continue to hold down the middle of the backline, but this term he’s joined by Ben White on loan from Brighton. Only Sheffield United and Middlesbrough conceded fewer goals than Bielsa’s men last term. It will be interesting to see whether Jansson’s departure has a decisive impact at the back, which could harm Leeds’ chances of returning to the Premier League.