Leeds United’s first five fixtures ranked for difficulty against Premier League rivals | OneFootball

Leeds United begin the 2026/27 season at Nottingham Forest on 22 August, aiming for a strong start to their second Premier League campaign.

Daniel Farke’s side then host Brentford the following weekend and play three of their first five at Elland Road. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Opta have ranked each club’s opening run using power ratings from zero to 100, with Arsenal at 100 and Hull City at 82.2.

The ranking places Manchester United first, with an average opponent rating of 89.3 across Hull away, Ipswich at home, Everton away, Manchester City at home and Fulham away.

Newcastle United are second at 89.9, facing Liverpool at home, Tottenham away, Bournemouth at home, Leeds away and Hull at home. Liverpool sit third on 90.7, visiting Newcastle before hosting Nottingham Forest, then travelling to Ipswich, hosting Fulham and going to Bournemouth.

Brentford are fourth on 90.8, with a visit to Leeds among home matches against Tottenham, Sunderland and Chelsea, plus a trip to Bournemouth.

Crystal Palace are fifth on 90.8, playing Everton away, Manchester City at home, Fulham away, Ipswich at home and Leeds away. Everton are sixth on 90.8, with Crystal Palace at home, Bournemouth away, Manchester United at home, Tottenham away and Ipswich at home.

The analysis compares every club’s first five matches against their 19 rivals, providing an early gauge of schedule strength.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk