| 2025/2026 SEASON ●Premier League ●League Cup ●FA Cup ●Friendly | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| date | versus | h/a | att. | result | h-t | TV | info | referee | pens | s/o | kit | links | ||||||||||
| 19-Jul | Manchester United |
Nat
Strawberry Arena
(Stockholm) |
45,345 | D | 0 | - | 0 | (0-0) | ▼ | A.Ladebäck | ![]() |
LUTV | ||||||||||
|
Overview
After friendly defeats to "them" in 2019 and 2023, this
represented a respectable outcome for Scandinavian fans of the
Yorkshire United.
Tactics •27m Following a drinks break, Diallo and Collyer swapped positions (Manchester) •46m Gruev to DM, Longstaff on at LM (Leeds) •77m Shift to 4-2-3-1 with Piroe to CAM, Gray on at CF (Leeds) Captains •Captains in the second half were Maguire and then Dalot for Manchester and Struijk for Leeds Trivia •Crew wore a shirt with non-standard name and numbering suggesting it was prepared at short notice (Leeds) |
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| 22-Jul | SC Verl | A | n/a | W | 4 |
-Piroe 25, 40p Gnonto
76
Nmecha 91 Arweiler 119 |
1 | (2-0) | ▼ | H.Schröder |
•●Piroe
40
|
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LUTV | |||||||||
|
Overview
As in 2024, German police would not sanction fans at Leeds'
pre-season training games and no details of fixtures could be
revealed until after the final whistle. This meeting with
third-tier opponents was played out over two hours. Each half
was itself split by a drinks break and the stadium scoreboard
clock was reset to 30:00 on the resumptions. By contrast LUTV
left their timer running which may explain any apparent
inconsistencies over match event timings. There were two
interesting, but correct, refereeing decisions. The first was
the initially perplexing penalty award for Leeds when Ens bent
down to place the ball after his keeper tapped it to him,
thinking it was a goal-kick. Then just before half-time, Alex
Cairns was penalised for not releasing the ball within eight
seconds which now results in a corner to the opposing side.
Tactics •91m Tanaka to DM, Chadwick on at CAM (Leeds) Captains •Stark was captain for Verl when they changed their entire team for the final quarter •Ampadu, naturally, was captain for Leeds in the second-half |
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| 26-Jul | SC Paderborn 07 | A | n/a | W | 3 |
-Piroe 30 Gnonto 55
Nmecha 79 Grimaldi 74 Baur 89 |
2 | (1-0) | ▼ | H.Schröder | ![]() |
LUTV | ||||||||||
|
Overview
Leeds stepped up their preparations for the Premier League
season with a good workout against 2. Bundesliga opposition, who
included Daniel Farke's son (Luis Engelns) in their midfield.
Tactics •46m Bijol to RCB, Struijk on at LCB (Leeds) •60m Subtle shift to 4-2-3-1 with Aaronson more advanced in the new midfield trio (Leeds) •71m Shift to 4-4-2 with Curda to RB, Scheller slight change to LCB, Obermair to LB, Wörner on at RM, Baur on at LM, Bilbija operating mainly on the left of a front two with the oncoming Grimaldi (Paderborn) •76m Return to 4-3-3 with Byram to RB, Harrison to LB, Aaronson to RW, Crew on at RM (Leeds) Captains •Struijk took over as captain when Ampadu was subbed (Leeds) |
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| 02-Aug | Villarreal | H | 35,273 | D | 1 |
-Piroe 67
Eyong 62 |
1 | (0-0) | ▼ | S.Barrott | ![]() |
LUTV | ||||||||||
|
Overview
A sell-out crowd went home reasonably content that defeat was
averted by Piroe's poaching but the paucity of chances created,
raised concerns over the lack of attacking signings to date.
Tactics •46m Stach to RM, Gruev on at LM (Leeds) •74m Pedraza on at LB, Moleiro to LM, Cabanes on as a CF (Villarreal) Captains •Parejo took the armband when Moreno went off (Villarreal) |
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| 09-Aug | Milan |
Nat
Aviva Stadium
(Dublin) |
51,700 | D | 1 |
-Stach 67
Giménez 31 |
1 | (0-1) | Premier Sports | ▼ | P.McLaughlin | ![]() |
LUTV | |||||||||
|
Overview
Although Milan had the better of the first half and led at the
break, a more front-footed approach from Leeds thereafter bore
fruit when Stach's cross-shot found the net. The goal was met
with raucous delight by United's large Irish support base, who
had helped turn the Aviva Stadium into a sea of yellow, white
and blue. With Lucas Perri making his debut and Illan Meslier
left at home, it appeared the French keeper's time at Elland
Road was drawing to a close after six years.
Tactics •46m Magni to RWB, Coubiș on at RCB (Milan) •61m Okafor to CF, Sia on at LW (Milan) •89m Longstaff to LM, Aaronson to RM, Gray on at RW (Leeds) Captains •Struijk and then Rodon assumed the captaincy when the position was rendered vacant by substitutions (Leeds) |
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| 18-Aug | Everton | H | 36,820 | W | 1 |
-Nmecha 84p
|
0 | (0-0) | Sky | ▼ | C.Kavanagh |
•●Nmecha
84
|
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► | BBC | WS? | ||||||
|
Overview
Though it was a game of few clear chances and the handball
decision against Everton skipper Tarkowski split opinion, few
could contest it was a deserved three points for Leeds on their
Premier League return. It was also their fifth win in a row when
playing on a Monday.
Tactics •71m Dewsbury-Hall to DM (but more attacking than Iroegbunam had been), Alcaraz to CAM, Ndiaye to RW, Grealish on at LW (Everton) •78m Aaronson to RW, Harrison on at LW (Leeds) Captains •Struijk took over when Ampadu went off (Leeds) |
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| 23-Aug | Arsenal | A | 60,110 | L | 0 |
-Timber
34, 56 Saka 45+1
Gyökeres 48, 90+5p |
5 | (0-2) | Sky | ▼ | J.Gillett |
•●Gyökeres
90+5
|
![]() |
► | BBC | WS? | ||||||
|
Overview
Though the first half hour was negotiated without concession and
a Struijk header could even have given them the lead, ultimately
Leeds were as outclassed as they might have feared.
Tactics •Although nominally the two teams matched up with 4-3-3 formations, Arsenal employed Calafiori (and later Lewis-Skelly) as an inverted full-back stepping into central midfield to create a 3-2-2-3 in possession •Forced into a largely rearguard action, Leeds became 4-1-4-1 with James and Gnonto dropping back to support their full-backs •53m Madueke to RW, Trossard on at LW (Arsenal) Captains •The armband seemed to be cursed with injuries sustained by both Ødegaard (shoulder) and Saka (hamstring) meaning Gabriel became the third player to wear it (Arsenal) |
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| 26-Aug | Sheffield Wednesday | A | 7,801 | D | 1 |
-2nd
Round
LOST ON PENS 0-3 Bogle 81 Darlow 63og |
1 | (0-0) | Sky | ▼ | R.Jones | ![]() |
► | BBC | WS? | |||||||
|
Overview
A surreal evening at Hillsborough with two stands empty due to a
boycott in protest at Owls' owner Dejphon Chansiri. With the
home side also including nine Under 21 players in their starting
line-up, it ought to have been a routine assignment for the
experienced professionals in Farke's admittedly much-changed
team. Unfortunately they treated it like a training exercise,
dominating possession but showing very little urgency until
falling behind following a goalkeeping blunder. Bogle forced
home an equaliser but a number of chances for a winner were
passed up so there was an air of inevitability about the
shoot-out outcome, if not that it would be concluded in just six
kicks.
Tactics •84m Gnonto to LW, James on at RW (Leeds) Captains •Ugbo took the armband from Lowe when replacing him and wore it until the final whistle but Bannan participated in the formalities before the penalties (Sheffield Wednesday) •Piroe took over when Byram was substituted (Leeds) |
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| 30-Aug | Newcastle United | H | 36,727 | D | 0 | - | 0 | (0-0) | Sky | ▼ | P.Bankes | ![]() |
► | BBC | WS? | |||||||
|
Overview
After two disappointing performances, this was an encouraging
point against technically superior opponents. With precious few
chances, the entertainment came from some intriguing duels -
notably between Botman and Nmecha as Leeds were often quite
direct in their approach.
Tactics •46m Guimarães to LM, Miley on at RM (Newcastle) •62m Livramento to RWB, Hall on at LWB (Newcastle) •68m Shift to 4-3-3 with Elanga slight change to RW, Barnes on at LW (Newcastle) Trivia •Aaronson should have been the first sub on but was receiving tactical instructions as James came to the touchline so Harrison went on ahead of him (Leeds) •The fourth official's board displayed the number "23" rather than "24" when James Justin came on for his debut (Leeds) |
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| 13-Sep | Fulham | A | 27,327 | L | 0 |
-Gudmundsson
90+4og
|
1 | (0-0) | ▼ | C.Pawson | ![]() |
► | BBC | WS? | ||||||||
|
Overview
A freak own goal deep into injury-time deprived Leeds of what
would have been a hard earned point in the capital.
Interchanges •47m-48m Wilson and Iwobi swapped over when defending a free-kick from the Leeds right (Fulham) •59m-60m Aaronson and Okafor briefly swapped over when defending a left-wing corner (Leeds) |
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| 20-Sep | Wolverhampton Wanderers | A | 30,807 | W | 3 |
-Calvert-Lewin 31
Stach 39
Okafor 45+4 Krejčí 8 |
1 | (3-1) | ▼ | A.Taylor | ![]() |
► | BBC | WS? | ||||||||
|
Overview
A result that means three of Leeds' last six away wins in the
Premier League have been achieved at Molineux. In truth the
nervy home team offered little in the first-half despite taking
an early lead and were caught cold by three United players
notching their first goals for the club. Although Wolves exerted
more pressure after half-time, Leeds saw the game out reasonably
comfortably. That said, they often gave possession away cheaply
in a manner that did not bode well for sterner challenges ahead.
Tactics •46m Shift to 3-4-1-2 with Munetsi on at CAM, Strand Larsen on as a CF (Wolves) •72m Shift to 4-4-2 diamond with Krejčí to LCB, André on at DM, Munetsi to RM, João Gomes to LM, Arias on at AM (Wolves) •90+2m Tanaka to RW, Stach to RM, Gruev on at LM but more of a 4-5-1 by this stage with the wingers protecting the full-backs (Leeds) Captains •João Gomes took over when Toti Gomes was withdrawn (Wolves) Trivia •In the 72nd minute, André for Mosquera should have been the first change but fourth official Sam Allison ushered Arias on to the pitch first; André had to wait for Toti Gomes and was then tasked with passing on the captain's armband (Wolves) |
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| 27-Sep | AFC Bournemouth | H | 36,574 | D | 2 |
-Rodon 37 Longstaff
54
Semenyo 26 Kroupi 90+3 |
2 | (1-1) | ▼ | M.Oliver | ![]() |
► | BBC | WS? | ||||||||
|
Overwiew
A frustrating end with another concession in injury-time but
more encouragement from seeing Leeds compete well with quality
Premier League opposition.
Tactics •73m Diakité to RB, Adams to RCB, Tavernier to DM, Semenyo to CAM, Doak on at LW (Bournemouth) •81m Diakité back to RCB, Tavernier to RB, Brooks to DM, Semenyo to RW, Kroupi on at CAM (Bournemouth) •87m Tanaka was again given the right-wing berth for the closing minutes and in doing so, it appeared to herald a shift to 4-5-1 (Leeds) Captains •Brooks was handed the armband when he joined the game at the same time as Christie departing it (Bournemouth) |
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| 04-Oct | Tottenham Hotspur | H | 36,703 | L | 1 |
-Okafor 34
Tel 23 Kudus 57 |
2 | (1-1) | TNT | ▼ | T.Bramall | ![]() |
► | BBC | WS? | |||||||
|
Overview
Leeds played well enough to have merited at least a point and
were unfortunate in that both Spurs goals were aided by
deflections off Struijk. Nonetheless they were also undone by a
collective tendency to snatch at the chances that came their way
while the slicker passing of Thomas Frank's forwards, served as
a good indicator of the standards required at this level.
Tactics •73m Sarr on at CAM, Richarlison on at CF in a reverse of the players they officially replaced (Spurs) •79m Shift to 3-4-1-2 with Ampadu to RCB, Rodon slight change to CB, Bogle slight change to RWB, Harrison to LWB, Piroe on at CAM behind Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin; in the centre, Tanaka was mainly a DM with Longstaff pushing forward (Leeds) •85m Shift to 5-4-1 with Danso on at RCB, Romero slight change to CB, Sarr to LW (Spurs) •In injury-time, Struijk was instructed to stay forward (Leeds) Trivia •At the moment of Leeds' equaliser, an inflatable football was drifting across the six-yard box sparking memories of the famous Sunderland beach ball goal sixteen years previously; comically Vicario instinctively clawed away the inflatable before it could also cross the line •In the 73rd minute, Sarr should have been the first Spurs substitute but was delayed by final coaching instructions so Richarlison ran on instead; Sarr had to wait for Simons to trudge off though as noted, that was the player he was replacing positionally |
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| 18-Oct | Burnley | A | 21,646 | L | 0 |
-Ugochukwu
18
Tchaouna 68 |
2 | (0-1) | ▼ | T.Robinson | ![]() |
► | BBC | WS? | ||||||||
|
Overview
A disappointing afternoon where Leeds controlled possession but
displayed little conviction in the final third. At the other
end, lapses in concentration led to the concession of two goals
which gave their hosts licence to sit back and see the game out
fairly comfortably.
Tactics •58m Anthony to RW, Tchaouna on at LW (Burnley) •73m Shift to 4-2-3-1 with Longstaff to DM, Piroe on at CAM (Leeds) •77m Shift to 5-3-2 with Tuanzebe slight change to CB, Laurent on at RCB, midfield of Florentino Ugochukwu Cullen, Anthony and Tchaouna the furthest forward (Burnley) •83m Shift to 5-4-1 Hannibal on at RM, Tchaouna to LM, Barnes on at CF (Burnley) Captains •Struijk took over as captain when Ampadu was replaced (Leeds) |
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| 24-Oct | West Ham United | H | 36,788 | W | 2 |
-Aaronson 3 Rodon 15
Fernandes 90 |
1 | (2-0) | Sky | ▼ | S.Attwell | ![]() |
► | BBC | WS? | |||||||
|
Overview
A much-needed win and a vastly improved performance,
characterised by a high-energy start which yielded two goals.
The fractured collarbone suffered by Oliver Scarles forced an
early reset on West Ham and they looked better for the formation
change, with their danger men back in more familiar positions.
They had plenty of possession in the second-half but few big
chances, though it was merciful for Leeds fans' nerves that
their goal came so late.
Tactics •25m Shift to 4-2-3-1 with Wan-Bissaka to RB, Kilman slight change to LCB, Diouf slight change to LB, Summerville to LW, Paquetá to CAM, Bowen to RW, Wilson on at CF (West Ham) •79m Paquetá to LW, Fernandes to CAM, Magassa on at DM (West Ham) Trivia •There were 13 minutes injury-time in the first-half, mainly due to the injuries to Scarles and Gudmundsson and a lengthy VAR check after Paquetá had netted for West Ham; the semi-automated offside technology being inoperational |
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| 01-Nov | Brighton & Hove Albion | A | 31,512 | L | 0 |
-Welbeck
11 Gómez 64, 70
|
3 | (0-1) | ▼ | M.Oliver | ![]() |
► | BBC | WS? | ||||||||
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Overview
A typically fruitless trip to the Amex Stadium, making it ten
without a win and eight without a goal. Brighton schooled Leeds
both in how to apply a press and how to beat one and the defeat
was comprehensive.
Tactics •61m Shift to 4-2-3-1 with Aaronson to CAM, James on at RW, Stach on at DM (Leeds) •88m Watson to RW, Kostoulas on at LW (Brighton) •90+4m For the final seconds: Kostoulas to CAM, Watson back to LW, Oriola on at RW (Brighton) |
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| 09-Nov | Nottingham Forest | A | 30,708 | L | 1 |
-Nmecha 13
Sangaré 15 Gibbs-White 68 Anderson 90+1p |
3 | (1-1) | Sky | ▼ | J.Gillett |
•●Anderson
90+1
|
![]() |
► | BBC | WS? | ||||||
|
Overview
Nmecha's sharp low finish boosted Leeds' hopes but when the lead
was relinquished immediately, there was an inevitability about
what would ensue. Though there could be malcontent with the
referee's contribution to the two goals Forest scored to clinch
the points, it was difficult to argue the result was unjust.
Though Daniel Farke was his unflappable self post-match, he must
surely be feeling the pressure of four defeats in five,
defenders repeating mistakes, a toothless attack and a daunting
fixture list on the other side of the international break.
Tactics •59m Ndoye to LW, Hutchinson on at RW (Forest) •74m Shift to 4-2-3-1 with Stach to DM, Piroe on at CAM (Leeds) •88m Shift to 5-4-1 with Murillo slight change to CB, Morato on at LCB (Forest) Captains •Yates took over as captain when he came on (Forest) |
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