Marcelo Bielsa will start life in the Sky Bet Championship against Gary Rowett’s Stoke City, with Leeds United welcoming the Potters to Elland Road on the first game of the 2018/19 season.
This morning, the EFL fixtures have been released, with Leeds’ clash with Stoke on August 5th one of the Championship’s standout fixtures on the opening weekend of the season.
Leeds’ clash with Stoke is the start of a challenging run for Bielsa, who is thrown into the deep end of the Championship.
Following the clash with Stoke, Leeds travel to the Pride Park Stadium to face Frank Lampard and Derby, before returning to Elland Road to take on Rotherham United, who are currently preparing for their Championship return.
Leeds then finish August with testing back-to-back away trips, travelling to Swansea City to face another relegated side, before heading to Carrow Road to take on Norwich City.
The Whites then begin September with an equally testing fixture, with Middlesbrough heading to Elland Road for a clash that is often competitive.
The Verdict
This is an incredibly tough start for Leeds, with Bielsa set to learn how tough the Championship can be.
Rowett is building a strong Stoke side, who will give Leeds a real test on the opening day of the season.
It remains to be seen how Derby manage, whilst Leeds’ supporters will back Bielsa’s side to pick up three points against Rotherham.
Trips to Swansea and Norwich will also be tough, whilst Middlesbrough are amongst the favourites for promotion.
Bielsa has been thrown in at the deep end here, with Leeds’ start amongst the most difficult in the Championship.
The opening six fixtures will give us a clear idea of Leeds’ promotion credentials.
Leeds fans… Let us know your thoughts!