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A change of formation, inspirational captain and a striker in white-hot form: the key factors fuelling Leeds United's resurgence
Leeds United are enjoying a fine run of form, which has harvested eight points and lifted them six points clear of the relegation zone before Christmas.
Their unbeaten four-game streak has vastly improved Daniel Farke’s job prospects at Elland Road and encouraged hopes of survival.
Here, DAZN News reporter Ross Heppenstall assesses the key factors behind the Whites’ recent renaissance.
Misery, gloom and concern
Less than a month ago, Leeds were on the slide, and Farke’s position appeared precarious.
The 2-1 home reverse to Aston Villa on November 23 marked a third straight loss and a fifth defeat in six Premier League games.
While there was no mass call for the German’s head from Leeds supporters afterwards, the boos that rang out at the final whistle were predictable.
With a rising tide of opposition from his own fanbase, Farke’s future appeared bleak with Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool next up.
Asked after the Villa defeat if he had received assurances about his position, Farke said: “We don’t speak about this topic.
“It’s not a topic I think one second about. Since I walked into this club, I’ve always said in every press conference, if you can't handle the heat, don’t become a manager of Leeds United.”
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A tactical switch that changed everything
Six days after losing to Villa, Leeds headed to the Etihad to take on Manchester City, where they were expected to be steamrolled.
At half-time – 2-0 down and facing humiliation – Farke was being tipped to be sacked before the Christmas decorations went up.
But during the interval at the Etihad, the German made a brave, bold move.
He switched to a 3-5-2, which saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin introduced at half-time to play alongside ex-City man Lukas Nmecha.
The tactical switch proved transformative as Calvert-Lewin scored within four minutes of his introduction and then won a penalty, which Nmecha converted to equalise.
Phil Foden scored a late winner for Pep Guardiola’s side, but for Leeds, the new formation provided fresh hope.
The move saw Jaka Bijol brought in as a third centre-back between Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk.
Bijol is strong in the air, uncompromising, and his presence has brought a newfound solidity to the Whites’ rearguard.
It has allowed Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson to bomb on as wing-backs.
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Ampadu and Stach emerging as key figures
Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu failed to establish himself at Chelsea after joining them from his hometown club Exeter City in July 2017.
Or rather, he was never given the chance he perhaps deserved, making just 12 first-team appearances for the Blues and spending the majority of his time out on loan before Leeds signed him in the summer of 2023.
The Wales international is now proving he can cut it at the highest level, and he has been a hugely influential figure in Leeds’ fine run of form.
Since losing at City on November 29, Farke’s men beat old adversaries Chelsea 3-1 and then drew 3-3 with Liverpool, with both games played under the lights at Elland Road.
They then secured a 1-1 draw at Brentford before hammering Crystal Palace 4-1 at home on Saturday night, a game which saw Ampadu score his first-ever Premier League goal.
His long throw-ins are also a huge weapon for Leeds, and Calvert-Lewin’s first-half brace against the Eagles came via this method.
Ampadu is the first name on Farke’s teamsheet, and Anton Stach is not far behind.
The Germany international is a massive presence alongside Ampadu in the middle of the park, and he scored his third goal of the season against the Eagles with a delightful free-kick.
Asked what lay behind Leeds’ resurgence, Stach said: “I don’t know what it is, but before this period we also had good games and were unlucky in some.
“Then with the momentum, it’s maybe a bit easier to play some passes in 50-50 situations.
“We need to keep going like this and working hard, then we will take more points.”
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Calvert-Lewin is on fire
There is no doubt that Calvert-Lewin’s goals are fuelling Leeds’ charge up the table right now.
He has scored six times in Leeds' last five Premier League games and is enjoying the kind of form which is prompting calls for an England recall in a World Cup year.
The 28-year-old striker helped himself to a brace in the win over Palace at a raucous Elland Road.
Calvert-Lewin had not scored a Premier League brace since bagging a double against Fulham for Everton in November 2020.
The Palace game saw him become the first Leeds player to score in five successive Premier League games since Mark Viduka in August 2003.
When asked if Calvert-Lewin could earn inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, Stach told DAZN News: “It’s not my decision, but I would pick him, of course.
“In the last few weeks, he’s been so important for us and scored so many goals.
“But it’s not only his goals, it’s also in the locker room and how he’s working with the ball.
“I think he’s a really strong, athletic guy, and I hope he can keep going like this – then we will see.”
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Can they keep it up?
Leeds head to Sunderland on Sunday, aiming to become the first team to win at the Stadium of Light this season.
It is a mountainous task and a major test of how far they have come in recent weeks.
Even a point would be a big result, especially with formidable-looking games on the horizon.
The Whites face Liverpool at Anfield on Boxing Day, and then host hated rivals Manchester United on January 4.
Stach said: “We need points in every game, so we have to keep going.”
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