How Farke's switch turned Leeds into top-three force

A half-time formation tweak nine months ago has Leeds United sitting third in the Premier League.

D. Farke

coach

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Club

Leeds United

Position

3rd in Premier League

Points

8 from 4 games

Form

Unbeaten this season

Last result

4-1 win over Newcastle

What happened. Leeds United sit third in the Premier League after a 4-1 home win over Newcastle United, their best top-flight start since 2001-02. The upturn traces back to Daniel Farke's switch from a back four to a back three at half-time against Manchester City on 29 November.

Leeds have lost only five of their past 29 league games since the formation change.
That run would place them fifth in a table for that timeframe.
Farke and sporting director Adam Underwood targeted tall, physical signings in the 2025 summer window.

Leeds now face the question of whether they can push for European football for the first time in 24 years.

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