Leeds United’s return to Elland Road provides another chance to look at the history books for which streaks they are closing in on. If the Whites can avoid defeat to Millwall, it would mean the unbeaten start to a season at home stretches to a 21st match.
Don Revie’s 1969/70 cohort still have the benchmark for home starts to a campaign. Their record sits out there at 25 games. As for the unbeaten run in the league, home and away, Leeds are looking for a 13th game on the bounce.
The last time United completed 13 consecutive league games without losing, they were fighting back from a 15-point deduction. It was Dennis Wise’s side, in 2007/08, that went 13 games without losing as they began that season like a house on fire with a true siege mentality raging against the world.
Landmarks for Bamford and Summerville
They are not major footnotes, but another strike for Patrick Bamford would take him to 60 in Leeds colours from 181 appearances, a virtually one-in-three record. The next player ahead of him in the club’s scoring charts is Harry Kewell, who knocked in 63 goals. Rod Wallace is not much further ahead on 66.
Crysencio Summerville is also set for his 50th start in Leeds colours. That puts him on a par with Mirco Antenucci.
A chance to go top
As with so many of the narratives Leeds have conjured in 2024, it is remarkable the Whites are now in a position to go to the summit of the Championship for the first time this season. At the end of 2023, United were 17 points behind Leicester City, who were also eight points clear of second-place Ipswich Town at that time.
For the Foxes to be letting go of first place to anyone, let alone Leeds, seemed unthinkable for so many weeks of this season. A win by two or more clear goals will put United in pole position on goal difference, having played one more game than Leicester.
