As Premier League clubs prepare to start playing pre-season friendlies this weekend, The Scout runs the rule over the promoted clubs and highlights the players who could have the biggest impact in 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League.
Leeds
Leeds were promoted as Championship winners, having hit exactly 100 points. They lost only four of their 46 matches.
Most eye-catching of all were their attacking numbers.
A total of 95 goals was not only the best in the division but the fourth-highest tally that any team has managed since the Championship was rebranded in 2004/05.
With 61 of those goals coming at Elland Road, it suggests that Fantasy managers could get some joy from playing their Leeds attackers in home fixtures, especially.
Leeds' attacking statistics*
| Total | Rank | |
| Goals scored | 95 | 1st |
| Expected Goals | 89.1 | 1st |
| Shots | 759 | 1st |
*2024/25 Championship
Daniel Farke's side impressed at the back, too.
While Burnley took the plaudits for their incredible tally of 30 clean sheets, Leeds were not far behind on 25.
Indeed, that's not a total that any second-tier team has matched since Queens Park Rangers racked up 25 shutouts in 2010/11.
Leeds even bettered Burnley for Expected Goals conceded last season, by 29.6 to 39.1, so there are hopes that the Whites can prosper at both ends of the pitch in 2025/26.
Farke's men begin the new season with a home fixture against Everton on Monday 18 August.
In fact, the first 12 fixtures look pretty favourable for the Championship winners. According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), only one of their first 12 matches scores higher than three.
Leeds' first 12 fixtures
| GW | Opponent | FDR* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Everton (H) | 2 |
| 2 | Arsenal (A) | 4 |
| 3 | Newcastle (H) | 3 |
| 4 | Fulham (A) | 3 |
| 5 | Wolves (A) | 3 |
| 6 | Bournemouth (H) | 3 |
| 7 | Spurs (H) | 3 |
| 8 | Burnley (A) | 2 |
| 9 | West Ham (H) | 2 |
| 10 | Brighton (A) | 3 |
| 11 | Nottm Forest (A) | 3 |
| 12 | Aston Villa (H) | 3 |
*1 = easiest, 5 = hardest
Key players
Jayden Bogle
Right-back Bogle started all but two of Leeds’ 46 Championship matches in 2024/25, his ever-present record only spoiled by injury and suspension.
As well as benefiting from 24 of those 25 clean sheets, his attacking potential really stood out.
Bogle's total of 47 shots was beaten by only one Championship defender.
Most shots by Championship defenders, 24/25
| Player | Shots |
| Jimmy Dunne (QPR) | 55 |
|---|---|
| Jayden Bogle (Leeds) | 47 |
| Harrison Burrows (Sheff Utd) | 47 |
| Mark McGuinness (Luton) | 47 |
His tally of six goals was also a figure that no other defender in the division could better.
Crucially, over 75 per cent of his shots were taken from inside the opposition penalty area. Seven of them even came from inside the six-yard box.
Those close-range efforts are much likelier to be converted into goals than, and Bogle looks like someone who could grab an attacking return or two even at Premier League level.
Jaka Bijol
Based on previous seasons' pricing, Bogle will likely enter FPL at £4.5m.
But centre-backs from promoted clubs have typically been priced at £4.0m over the last two campaigns, so there are some potential gems to be found.
Bijol could be one of them.
A summer signing from Udinese, the Slovenia international is vastly experienced and has UEFA Champions League and Europa League appearances under his belt to go with 63 international caps.
A big presence at corners, Bijol registered 19 shots across 34 outings in 2024/25.
He delivered five attacking returns in 32 league starts in 2022/23, too - that's a total that only three Premier League centre-backs could better last season.
Daniel James
James is probably the standout attacker from the Leeds squad at present.
The Wales international joined Bogle and central midfielder Ao Tanaka in the Championship Team of the Season for 2024/25.
The right winger brings some serious goal threat to the Premier League.
James’ total of 99 shots was just four fewer than forward Joel Piroe registered but, crucially, they came at a quicker rate.
Best Leeds players for minutes per shot, 24/25*
| Player | Mins/shot |
| Daniel James | 26.5 |
|---|---|
| Wilfried Gnonto | 27.9 |
| Joel Piroe | 30.3 |
*Minimum 1,000 minutes
James scored with 12 of his shots last season, while he also chipped in with nine assists - a total that only the now-departed duo of Junior Firpo and Manor Solomon could better for Leeds.