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If this club truly believes the English top flight is where it belongs, this is the moment to show it.

WAITING GAME. Leeds did not manage back-to-back league victories until their 32nd and 33rd matches of last season, when they beat Manchester United and Wolves.

Leeds are in a strong position. That is not something that could have been said in too many FourFourTwo Season Previews during this century.

The redevelopment of Elland Road has now reached the stage where work is physically under way. The side secured its place in the top flight. And this summer, the club also handed 25-year-old captain and talisman Ethan Ampadu a new long-term contract.

Like every recently promoted team in the modern Premier League era, the target in the second season is straightforward: survive. In such an unforgiving division, second-season syndrome can quickly undo sides that begin to think they are above their current standing.

The last time Leeds were in this position, they failed to build on the success of their first season back among the elite, and that eventually led them back down into the Championship. They cannot let that happen again. Back then, 49ers Enterprises were minority partners; now they are fully in charge, backed by serious resources that have been strengthened even more through commercial links with companies such as Red Bull.

Smart work in the transfer market remains essential, though. Noah Okafor, Anton Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, in particular, all proved major successes in last summer's squad rebuild, with a clear focus on physical strength. To keep up the momentum created in the second half of 2025-26, Leeds will once again need to deliver efficiently on their squad-building plans.

Many feared that Daniel Farke was not capable of keeping a team in the Premier League, having failed to do so twice with Norwich, but with the help of a stronger budget and a defiant Elland Road, he silenced those doubts. He has now challenged the club to match his ambition and keep pushing forward.

The most important part of the Leeds setup is 63-cap Wales international Ethan Ampadu. He leads from the front and is always ready to dive into a tackle, making him exactly the sort of captain Leeds supporters want - not least because of his cone-headed antics during the promotion celebrations. He feels like one of their own.

PREMIER LEAGUE: 14th

FA CUP: Semi-final

LEAGUE CUP: Second Round

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a solid 15 goals in all competitions for the Whites last season.

At one point, there was even some talk - however slim the possibility - that he might challenge Jamie Vardy's record for scoring in consecutive matches.

If something is not working, change it. With Leeds 2-0 down at half-time away to Manchester City in November, Farke switched to a back three - a system he had not used in his first two seasons at the club.

Leeds recovered to make it 2-2 before conceding in stoppage time, but more importantly, that moment introduced a tactical structure that made them far tougher to beat.

In the 30 matches in all competitions after Farke's tactical revelation, Leeds were beaten only six times. They moved clear of the relegation battle, and the manager's readiness to alter course won over the doubters. Keeping key players fit was crucial, especially as the form of other teams meant Leeds had to finish the campaign strongly. That is exactly what they did.

By the time they travelled to West Ham on the final day, already safe from relegation, Farke's side were unbeaten in eight matches. His pragmatism had delivered.

Have the best-smelling manager in the Premier League.

Shoot from distance: Calvert-Lewin, who scored 13 of his 14 goals from between the posts and inside the box.

Last season was defined by the half-time change at Manchester City, when Daniel Farke was under huge pressure. A brilliant second half of the campaign was his reward for moving away from what had previously been a rigid tactical approach.

This season will be different because the top half is our target now.

Our key player will be Ethan Ampadu, because of his tenacity and leadership.

The active player I'd love to have back is Raphinha, now that James Milner has finally called time on his career.

The opposition player I'd love here is James Trafford. One of England's best goalkeepers has been wasted sitting on the bench at Manchester City.

Look out for extra scrutiny on the academy pipeline. For the first time, Leeds did not present a Young Player of the Year award because there were not enough suitable candidates. The club's hierarchy were justified in bringing in experienced players, but they now need to revive a historically excellent youth system capable of producing first-team-ready footballers.

The one change I'd make at our club would be our dreadful modern-day record at Wembley. Even a goal there would be welcome.

The ground I'm least looking forward to visiting is the Emirates. Arsenal were the only team that really had our measure last season.

The fans' opinion of the gaffer is at an all-time high. A win at Old Trafford and a first FA Cup semi-final for a generation were the finishing touches on a stress-free end to the season.

We'll finish 11th.

AUGUST

22 Nottingham Forest (A)

29 Brentford (H)

SEPTEMBER

5 Brighton (A)

12 Newcastle (H)

19 Crystal Palace (H)

OCTOBER

10 Arsenal (A)

17 Manchester United (H)

24 Sunderland (A)

31 Bournemouth (A)

NOVEMBER

7 Tottenham (H)

21 Chelsea (A)

28 Coventry (H)

DECEMBER

2 Manchester City (A)

5 Ipswich (H)

12 Liverpool (A)

19 Fulham (H)

26 Aston Villa (A)

30 Hull City (A)

JANUARY

2 Everton (H)

6 Manchester City (H)

16 Tottenham (A)

23 Chelsea (H)

30 Coventry (A)

FEBRUARY

6 Bournemouth (H)

10 Everton (A)

20 Aston Villa (H)

27 Fulham (A)

MARCH

3 Hull City (H)

13 Brighton (H)

20 Newcastle (A)

APRIL

10 Nottingham Forest (H)

17 Brentford (A)

24 Liverpool (H)

MAY

1 Ipswich (A)

8 Arsenal (H)

15 Manchester United (A)

23 Sunderland (H)

30 Crystal Palace (A)

Leeds United to win the Premier League title odds: 500/1

FourFourTwo verdict: Leeds to finish 14th.

Leeds' top-seven form after Farke's tactical reshuffle suggests they may be able to look upwards rather than over their shoulder. New arrival Harry Wilson could add more goals - and they have also needed to sort out the goalkeeping situation.

This feature was written in June as part of FourFourTwo magazine's legendary Season Preview issue.