Chris Kamara claims Leeds are the team to beat in the Championship

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Chris Kamara has explained he believes Leeds United will earn promotion from the Championship and is impressed by the way they have responded to losing in the play-offs last season.

The Whites were beaten by Derby County in last season’s play-off semi-final and it was a real blow for a team that finished third in the regular league campaign.

But manager Marcelo Bielsa has remained at Elland Road for a second year and is looking to guide the Yorkshire giants back to the top-flight.

They have started the new campaign in decent form and they sit third in the league table during the international break, with 13 points from six matches as well as a win in the Carabao Cup first round.

Leeds were beaten for the first time this season though at the weekend by Swansea City, who remain unbeaten and are the early leaders in the division.

Kamara, who previously had a brief stint as a Leeds player and is now a Sky Sports pundit, is confident that his former team can earn promotion.

“I very much think so now,” Kamara responded when asked if Leeds will be in the Premier League next season (LS11’s Youtube channel).

“Normally teams that have lost in play-off semi-finals and play-off finals the start of the following season they fall away,.

“Leeds are the team to beat in the Championship this year. Whoever finishes above Leeds will get promotion. Looking at the way they have started and how strong they are at the back and scoring goals from the front… they are the team to beat.”

TBR’s View:

Leeds are understandably considered by many as one of the favourites to win promotion and the early signs are strong.

Bielsa is going to be even more driven to succeed after failing in the play-offs last year and he has a group of players that understand his possession-based and high intensity methods.

There is a great balance to the team both offensively and defensively, but they need to try avoid any poor runs of form like last year.

Leeds were the better team for spells in the 1-0 defeat to Swansea City and were undone by a 90th minute goal from Wayne Rutledge.