I worked out the difference between Leeds United's polarising home and away form and results are staggering

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Since returning to the Championship, Leeds United have developed a habit of shooting themselves in the foot on the road which places even greater emphasis on their league-leading form at Elland Road.

Leeds' most recent outing at Preston North End saw the Whites concede the first goal in an away match for the sixth time this season. Brad Potts' opener gave United an all-too-familiar hill to climb and if not for a stoppage time own goal by Jack Whatmough, Leeds would have left Deepdale empty-handed once again. The side's away form has been a topic of discussion this year, in a way it wasn't quite so pressing last. Although, the Whites are performing similarly on the road during 2024/25 as they did last season.

Generally speaking, teams who tend to score first in games are usually those at the top end of the table, no matter which league or level. Last season, largely due to Leeds' home form and an ability to turn things around on the road, Daniel Farke's side finished with 90 points but ultimately fell short of automatic promotion. At Elland Road, Leeds scored first 13 times, winning 12 and drawing one. Over the entire campaign, Leeds hit the front 22 times, winning 20, drawing two, scoring 49 and conceding just six.

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When Leeds went a goal up, invariably it was game over for the opposition. But, they didn't do it enough. By comparison, champions Leicester City and fellow promoted side Southampton both scored the first goal in 32 of their 46 league matches.

In 13 of their 23 away trips last term, Leeds conceded the first goal, giving themselves an uphill task to salvage anything from games, which to their credit they managed on numerous occasions. Given the points tally United finished on, it is somewhat staggering to consider Birmingham City, Rotherham United - both of whom were relegated - and Stoke City were the only teams who conceded the first goal more frequently in away matches.

En route to the Premier League, Leicester and Southampton each conceded the first goal on the road just six times - a figure Leeds have already reached this season in their opening 10 away fixtures. In six of Leeds' last seven away games, it has been their opponent who has opened the scoring. The only occasion that wasn't the case was a 0-0 draw at Ashton Gate against Bristol City.

Norwich City, Sunderland, Millwall, Swansea City, Blackburn Rovers and Preston all scored the opening goal in their home ties with Leeds over the past couple of months. In addition, each of those openers came in the first half of matches, with five such instances in the opening quarter of games.

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Leeds United manager Daniel FarkeLeeds United manager Daniel Farke
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke

All of this suggests Leeds are slow starters away from home, which is an area of weakness for a side that doesn't have many. Additionally, the polarisation between home and away makes little sense considering how dominant they can be - and have been - at Elland Road, where they have taken 24 points from the last 24 available.

If this trend is to continue, it places greater importance on the Whites' home form and means they can ill afford slip-ups in LS11. Fortunately for Farke, these have been few and far between.

It is a common football cliche that the first goal is absolutely crucial, which has never been truer for Leeds as they go head-to-head with the likes of Sheffield United, Burnley, Sunderland and Middlesbrough for the two automatic promotion spots. It is a particularly Leeds-centric cliche that the Whites never do things the easy way, something Farke is already up to speed with.

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“We are Leeds United — we never do it the easy way," he said, not for the first time, after Leeds' opening game of this season - a 3-3 draw with newly-promoted Portsmouth which featured a stoppage time Pompey penalty, a 95th minute Brenden Aaronson leveller and an even later opportunity, missed by the American.

Even a slight improvement at avoiding the first concession on the road would yield a significant boost to Leeds' promotion chances, because their home form is so imperious. Oxford United visit Elland Road this weekend but after that, Leeds face trips to Stoke and Derby County in the space of three days over the festive period. Farke must ensure his team avoid a repeat of last season, which saw his side lose at Preston and West Bromwich Albion between Christmas and New Year, if he is to avoid further pressing questions about the Jekyll and Hyde nature of his team.

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