Leeds United already boast huge asset that could make vital Premier League promotion difference

There is no one factor which guarantees success in football, but you can bet most coaches would put scoring plenty of goals high on any list of priorities. True, keeping them out at the other end can often by just as important, but you don't win games without finding the back of the net.

To that end, Leeds United are in a good place. As we prepare for the return of Championship action, only league leaders Sunderland have scored more than Daniel Farke's side in the league this season, with Regis Le Bris' surprise packages bagging 25 goals to Leeds' 24.

Defensively, the Whites are also in a strong place, with only nine conceded on league duty, giving them the best goal difference in the division right now with +15. Only Burnley and Sheffield United have conceded less, but neither have scored anywhere near as many as United.

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There's a long way to go, of course, but that could make a huge difference when it comes to the final reckonning. The promotion places are often decided on the finest of margins, so a superior goal difference could prove to be worth an extra point if things are tight come May.

Leeds have already kept nine clean sheets in the division this season, and only failed to score on four occasions. It's a recipe for success and one that shows Farke and Co are getting it right at both ends of the pitch.

It's a difficult balance and Leeds have found themselves on the wrong end of counter-attacking defeats, where sides have looked to soak up pressure and hit on the break. It can be frustrating, but the Whites have proven they have the firepower to overcome the toughest of resistance, while ensuring they don't leak goals at the other end.

Ignoring the Carabao Cup defeat to Middlesbrough, Leeds have only conceded more than once on two occasions - that bizarre opening-day 3-3 draw with Portsmouth and the 2-2 draw at Sunderland. And at the risk of opening still raw Illan Meslier wounds, they really should have kept the Black Cats to one goal that day.

Farke has previous, of course, with his Norwich City side boasting the best goal difference in 2021 as they claimed the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League. It worked then, and it will be an important factor for Leeds in 2025. Long may it continue.