Having come agonisingly close to a play-off berth in the Championship last season, preparation will be key for Leeds should they wish to make the jump up to the Premier League in 2017-18 after eight long seasons out of the top flight.
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With that in mind the Whites have arranged a competitive round of fixtures pre-season, including a series of tough looking games in Austria on the club's summer tour.
This is your complete guide to the fixtures awaiting Leeds over the coming months before they return to competitive action.
LEEDS PRE-SEASON FIXTURES
| Date | Opponent | Time (local / BST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 12 | North Ferriby United | 19:30 | Eon Visual Media Stadium |
| Jul 16 | FC Ingolstadt | 17:00 / 16:00 | Kufstein Arena, Austria |
| Jul 20 | Borussia Monchengladbach | 14:15 / 13:15 | Stadion Schwaz, Schwaz |
| Jul 23 | Eibar | 17:00 / 16:00 | Jenbach Stadium, Austria |
| Jul 29 | Oxford United | 15:00 | Elland Road |
The club's pre-season in fact kicked off as early as July 5, with a friendly against National League North side Harrogate Town. The game went predictably in Leeds' favour, as their neighbours were downed 4-2 in a gentle return to duties ahead of what will be a gruelling season, while Conference team Guiseley were dispatched 5-1 three days later.
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North Ferriby United was more of the same for Leeds United as the Conference side were defeated 2-0, but things will get harder from there. A three-game tour of Austria sees the West Yorkshire club take on Bundesliga 2 team Ingolstadt before arguably the toughest challenge of the summer looms in the shape of Monchengladbach.
Eibar too showed plenty in last year's Liga campaign to suggest they will not be pushovers for Leeds, before the pre-season comes to an end in front of their own fans when Oxford United visit.
WHEN DOES THE SEASON START?
GettyThomas Christiansen's charges will be back in action on August 6, in the first round of Championship clashes. Bolton Wanderers lie in wait for the Whites, who will travel to the Macron Stadium on the first day of the season.
Elland Road, meanwhile, will play host for the first time in 2017-18, with two home games following in quick succession against Preston (August 12) and Fulham (August 15).