Leeds United’s 2019/20 Championship fixtures have been released and the world finally knows where and when Marcelo Bielsa’s second season is heading.
We take a look over the key talking points, trends and grumbles from the lay of the land next term.
How does United’s start look?
It certainly is not as difficult as last season’s start, which was statistically the toughest in the entire division, but, as ever, there are no easy games in this league .
The long journeys need to be done at some point and while there will be grumbles about the optimism of the opening day being sucked out of United supporters by a journey to Bristol City, at least it is likely to be fair weather.
Wigan Athletic away stands out as the best opportunity to claim three points in the opening six weeks, but Brentford and Swansea City’s trips to Elland Road are major opportunities too.
How does the run-in treat the Whites?
Much depends on where the Whites stand in the table, when and how many points they may, hopefully, need to secure promotion, but if it’s going until the final three weeks there are wins to be had.
Newly promoted Barnsley and Charlton Athletic visit Elland Road in the final three weeks of the season, either side of another spring trip to Pride Park.
April begins with a winnable trip to Blackburn Rovers, the visit of unpredictable Stoke City and then the long poke to Swansea City.
What looks to be the toughest run of fixtures?
March starts with the three relegated Premier League sides back-to-back. Huddersfield Town and Fulham visit Elland Road either side of a trip to Neil Warnock’s Cardiff City across an 11-day period.
March, of course, is when attention really zeros in on who is realistically looking at promotion.
December could also be kinder to the Whites. Again, the three relegated sides face Bielsa ’s outfit in the first four matches of the month, while West Bromwich Albion await on New Year’s Day.
What looks like the easiest run and the best chance to generate momentum?
Promotion winners need long unbeaten runs to make their major gains in this league and there does look to be two good opportunities for United to string some wins together.
October and November look appetising. A trip to Millwall on October 5 is followed by Birmingham City, Preston North End, Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn, Luton Town and Reading among others.
Meanwhile, the run-in does look very appealing, on reflection. After getting the Fulham match out of the way on March 18, Luton, Blackburn, Stoke, Swansea, Barnsley and Charlton follow.
When will the headline writers be busiest?
While it does seem to mean more to the Terriers, it is worth noting the Huddersfield matches take place on December 7 (away) and March 7 (home).
Derby, whether they are coached by Frank Lampard or not, host United in the penultimate game of the season and visit on September 21.
Warnock arrives back at Elland Road on December 14 and welcomes United to Cardiff on March 14.
Worst back-to-back journeys?
Reading, again, is an evening kick-off in midweek. It comes on November 26, three days after the not short trip to Luton.
The Birmingham and West Brom trips also arrive back-to-back and over the festive period no less. December 29 and January 1. Get your West Midlands hotel booked.
