How Leeds United's tough Premier League start compares to their rivals after fixtures released

Leeds United have one of the toughest sets of opening fixtures in the Premier League - on paper at least.

The fixtures for the 2021/22 season have been released, and it looks like the campaign will kick off with a bang.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side kick things off with one of the biggest games of the season - an away trip to their biggest rivals, Manchester United.

Leeds then have to follow that up with a home game against Everton, followed by an away trip to Burnley, a home game against Liverpool, an away trip to Newcastle United, and a home game against West Ham.

Those clubs had an average finishing league position of 8.3 last season.

Only three clubs start the season off against sides who finished higher up the league on average.

Norwich’s opening six opponents had an average finishing league position of 8.2 last season, while both Southampton’s and Chelsea’s had averages of 7.3.

Average finishing position of first six opponents

Club	Average position
Chelsea	7.3
Southampton	7.3
Norwich City	8.2
Leeds United	8.3
Burnley	8.3
West Ham United	9.5
Crystal Palace	9.8
Manchester City	10
Tottenham Hotspur	10.3
Brentford	10.8
Newcastle United	10.8
Manchester United	11
Arsenal	12.2
Aston Villa	12.2
Leicester City	12.3
Wolverhampton	12.3
Watford	13.3
Liverpool	14.7
Everton	14.8
Brighton	15.2

Brighton have the easiest start to the season on paper.

The Seagulls’ opening six games are against Burnley, Watford, Everton, Brentford, Leicester, and Crystal Palace.

Those opponents had an average finishing league position of 15.2 between them.

Everton, meanwhile, kick the season off against opponents whose average was 14.8.

Liverpool’s opening six games are against clubs with an average of 14.7, Watford’s is 13.3, and Wolves’ is 12.3.

Let us know what you think of Leeds' start in the comments below