Prediction: Leeds to Win
Odds: 23/20
Bookmaker: Betfair
Leeds United will be aiming to stave off the threat of three consecutive defeats as they host struggling Brighton & Hove Albion at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.
The Whites have been entertaining upon their return to the Premier League but have hit a somewhat sticky patch of form. Meanwhile, Graham Potter’s Seagulls are also experiencing a few poor results and will be aiming to notch their first league victory since mid-November in Yorkshire.
Leeds United
Coming into the clash, Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds have sustained two consecutive 3-0 losses. One came against Tottenham Hotspur in North London, whilst the most recent came at the hands of League Two outfit Crawley Town in the FA Cup. Should they sustain another defeat against Brighton at the weekend, then it will be the first time that they have lost three consecutive games in all competitions since January 2020. That three-match losing run was also the last time that Leeds failed to score in three games in a row, something that will be replicated should they fail to find the back of the net again at the weekend. Despite that disappointing form, the complexion is a lot more promising when just Premier League results are taken into account. The Whites have won three out of their last five league matches and should they win again, they could potentially rise as high as eighth in the standings.
Team News
Leeds could be boosted by the return of a few key defenders with Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente set to be reintroduced following slight injuries. However, fellow centre-back Robin Koch remains out as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. Another blow is midfielder Kalvin Phillips who is ruled out through suspension having been awarded five yellow cards thus far this season. He joins injury doubts Tyler Roberts, Gaeteno Berardi and Adam Forshaw on the sidelines.
Brighton & Hove Albion
It would be fair to say that the Seagulls are really marooned in a relegation battle this season. Potter’s troops sit just one place and two points above the drop zone and should results go against them this weekend, then they could find themselves in the bottom three for the first time under their manager and the first time since August 2017. That fall down the table is a direct consequence of a horrendous start to the season in which they have only won two out of their opening 18 matches. Only Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion, who are both severely under the threat of relegation, have won fewer matches than the Seagulls in the top-flight this season. They do not travel to Elland Road in the best of form in away matches. Since earning promotion to the top-flight in 2017, they have only managed to win 11 away matches in the Premier League in all, failing to score in three out of their last four games.
Team News
Brighton possess one of the most lengthy injury lists in the Premier League. A lot of their problems revolve around the front-line with Danny Welbeck, Aaron Connolly, Jose Izquierdo and Alireza Jahanbakhsh all ruled out. Summer signing Adam Lallana is also not going to make it in time for the trip to Yorkshire. In more worrying news, Tariq Lamptey remains restricted to the sidelines as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury. Jason Steele and Jakub Moder are both still out but Steven Alzate and Yves Bissouma could both potentially return to action.
Key Facts To Consider
- The two teams have a very similar head-to-head record (18 Leeds wins, 16 Brighton wins, 11 draws)
- Leeds won the last meeting between the two 2-0 in March 2017
- Both teams have scored in just one match out of the last seven between the two
- The hosts have won the last three matches between Leeds and Brighton
- Brighton have won on four out of their last six trips to Elland Road
Conclusion
All of the signs point to a Leeds United victory at Elland Road and that is exactly what should happen on Saturday. The Whites, aiming to bounce back from their embarrassing loss at the hands of Crawley, come up against a Brighton outfit who are severely struggling. Leeds should get back to winning ways.
Prediction: Leeds to Win
Odds: 23/20
Bookmaker: Betfair
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