Key factor makes Leeds United underdogs in Leicester City and Southampton battle for promotion

Years spent in the Premier League over the past two decades should only emphasise how well Leeds United are doing to compete with Leicester City and Southampton. Daniel Farke laughed as he said what he had found when he compared the last 20 years in the top flight.

Leicester City, champions in 2016, spent 10 of the last 20 years in the Premier League, while Southampton have had 13 at the highest level in that time. For Leeds, it was four. Farke, no doubt, was insinuating the years of spending power and infrastructure those years provided put Leeds on a weaker footing in 2023/24.

The average ages of the teams’ respective line-ups also ensure Leeds cannot be considered a favourite in this promotion race, Farke feels. The German, though, would not swap one of his players for his rivals’.

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“We are a pretty, pretty young side and sometimes this club is amazing,” said Farke. “We have one department where we are definitely one of the best sides in this league, if not the best side.

“This is our supporters. The supporters of this club are second to none. They are right up there with the best in this country, if not the best, but just because we have this skill, it’s not we are the big favourite.

“I love this club already and I am ambitious. I told you what I want for this club in the mid and the long-term, but when I compare how many years we spent in the Premier League in the last 20 years, with the likes of Leicester or Southampton, you won’t label us as the big favourite.

“When you have a look at the average age of the starting line-up, you won’t label us as a big favourite. We have fantastic players and I tell you what, I don't want to swap one player. I totally believe in this group and I totally trust these players, but because we are not the finished end product, I can’t guarantee we are always there with the perfect outcome.”