In the last decade of the Championship, only one team that earned automatic promotion has started their season with a perfect record in their first five matches. This context should ease concerns among Leeds United fans about the team’s modest start this season.
Despite only securing two wins in their opening five league games, Leeds’ eight points at this stage align with the typical performance of teams that go on to achieve automatic promotion.
Historical examples underscore the importance of patience. During Daniel Farke’s previous Championship-winning campaigns, Norwich City had similar slow starts. In the 2018/19 season, they managed just four points from their first five matches, while their successful 2020/21 season began with seven points and two losses. Both times, Norwich went on to claim the title.
On average, teams promoted automatically in the last ten years have garnered around 9.55 points from their first five matches, making Leeds’ total relatively standard.
Here’s a look at the five-game starts of Championship teams that achieved automatic promotion over the past ten years:
1. **Watford (2014/15)**: Promoted as runners-up, they started strong with 12 points, sitting in 2nd place.
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2. **AFC Bournemouth (2014/15)**: Under Eddie Howe, they had a slow start with 7 points but finished as champions, positioned 11th after five games.
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3. **Middlesbrough (2015/16)**: Their last promotion mirrored Leeds’ current record, achieving 8 points.
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4. **Burnley (2015/16)**: Also promoted as champions, they began with the same 8 points as Leeds.
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5. **Brighton and Hove Albion (2016/17)**: Though they were ultimately runners-up, they gathered 8 points in their first five matches.
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6. **Newcastle United (2016/17)**: After losing their first two games, they turned it around, finishing with a championship win.
These examples suggest that Leeds fans have reason to remain optimistic as the season progresses.
