History, DCL and a perfect away start: Opta facts ahead of Brighton
· Yahoo Sports
Our friends at Opta Stats have been digging into the numbers ahead of Leeds United’s latest Premier League fixture, with Daniel Farke’s side heading to the American Express Stadium to face Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton & Hove Albion.
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The Whites have made a positive start to the 2026/27 campaign, taking four points from their opening two league games, while they have also won both of their away fixtures in all competitions so far.
Here are nine facts to know ahead of Saturday’s 3pm kick-off...
1. Leeds have won both away games this season
Leeds have won both of their away games in all competitions this season, beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the Premier League and recording a 2-0 victory in the League Cup.
That is already, just one fewer away victory than the Whites managed across 23 away games last season, when they recorded three wins, 12 draws and eight defeats.
2. The Whites are chasing a landmark away start
After beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 on the opening day, Leeds are looking to win their first two away games of a league season for the first time since 2019/20.
It would also be the first time Leeds have achieved the feat in the top flight since 1973/74.
3. Leeds won the last meeting
The Whites go into Saturday's fixture having won the most recent league meeting between the sides, beating Brighton 1-0 at Elland Road in May.
However, Opta notes that Leeds have never won consecutive league games against Brighton in the top flight.
4. Calvert-Lewin has scored all 15 of his Leeds Premier League goals from inside the box
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored 15 Premier League goals for Leeds, with every one coming from inside the penalty area.
That is jointly the most among Leeds players who have scored in the Premier League without ever finding the net from outside the box, alongside Lee Chapman.
5. DCL is also among the Premier League's leading high-intensity pressers
Calvert-Lewin has applied 104 high-intensity pressures in the opposition half this season.
Only Hull City's Oliver McBurnie, with 105, has recorded more.
6. Leeds created 12 chances against Brentford
In the 1-1 draw with Brentford, Leeds registered 22 shots and an expected goals figure of 1.67.
The Whites also created 12 chances, with Lukas Nmecha leading Leeds with two chances created.
7. Calvert-Lewin led the way for shots and xG
Calvert-Lewin recorded the highest expected goals figure of any Leeds player against Brentford, with 0.92.
Daniel James had the most shots for the Whites, attempting four, while Calvert-Lewin had two shots on target.
8. Leeds have plenty of recent positive form behind them
Opta's last-five-match form shows Leeds with two wins, two draws and one defeat across their final three games of 2025/26 and opening two games of 2026/27.
That sequence includes a 1-0 victory over Brighton, a 3-0 defeat by West Ham United, a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest and the 1-1 draw with Brentford.
9. Brighton's possession numbers provide a fascinating test
Brighton recorded 73.1 per cent possession against Aston Villa on the opening day and 74.1 per cent against Chelsea.
Opta notes that no team on record, dating back to 2003/04, had previously recorded at least 70 per cent possession in each of their first three Premier League games of a season.