Excluding London clubs, Leeds United will face three sides from the south in the upcoming Premier League season in Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town and first in our focus, AFC Bournemouth.
Last season’s trip to the Vitality Stadium proved to be a dramatic affair. Behind in the second half, a low Willy Gnonto cross fired into the middle cannoned off a Cherries’ shirt and into the back of the net. The hosts looked to have then snatched all three points late on until a last-gasp thunderous Sean Longstaff volley earned the Whites a point in Dorset.
The match had followed a similar pattern to the Elland Road meeting of the sides where the visitors themselves salvaged a draw with an injury time effort, ensuring the encounter finished 2-2.
Under the guidance of Andoni Iraola, AFC Bournemouth finished sixth in the final standings as the Cherries qualified for European competition for the first time in their history. The head coach has since moved on to join Liverpool and was replaced by German Marco Rose.
This time around, Daniel Farke’s men will visit the south coast on Halloween before hosting Bournemouth in February.
AFC Bournemouth vs Leeds United
Saturday 31st October 2026
Vitality Stadium
Distance from Elland Road: 263 miles
Leeds United vs AFC Bournemouth
Saturday 6th February 2027
Elland Road
Along the coast from the Vitality takes us to the home of another of the upcoming season’s opposition and another side whose exploits last term earned them qualification for Europe in Brighton & Hove Albion.
The most recent trip to the Amex was one to forget for the Whites who fell to a heavy defeat but revenge was served in West Yorkshire when Dominic Calvert-Lewin raced onto a misplaced pass at the back and rounded the Seagulls’ goalkeeper to send Elland Road into delirium seconds before the full-time whistle!
Leeds travel to Sussex to face Fabian Hürzeler’s team at the beginning of September and welcome the Seagulls to Elland Road midway through March.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Leeds United
Saturday 5th September 2026
Amex Stadium
Distance from Elland Road: 257 miles
Leeds United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Saturday 13th March 2027
Elland Road
Rounding off our southern opponents, aside from London clubs, will be the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship runners up Ipswich Town.
The Tractor Boys earned promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, having amassed 84 points under boss Kieran McKenna. The Northern Irishman has since left the club however and was replaced by Gary O'Neil in the hotseat.
We will host Ipswich at the beginning of December in a clash sure to bring back fond memories of the previous Elland Road encounter between the two where United despatched the Suffolk outfit 4-0.
Our last trip to Portman Road similarly was a high-scoring affair. Joël Piroe and Gnonto were on target in East Anglia in a back-and-forth 90 minutes that ended 4-3 to Leeds.
Leeds United vs Ipswich Town
Saturday 5th December 2026
Elland Road
Ipswich Town vs Leeds United
Saturday 1st May
Portman Road
Distance from Elland Road: 191 miles
