After the exciting conclusion of Gameweek 1, Gameweek 2 beckons upon us from this Saturday. Leeds take on Fulham in Saturday afternoon clash which takes place at 15:00 UK Time.
Leeds stunned us all with their valor display against Liverpool last Gameweek while Fulham got battered at the hands of Arsenal. Will Leeds continue that good display or can Fulham upsurge them in this fascinating encounter?
Below we give our Leeds vs Fulham Preview which answers the above question in a detailed manner.
Leeds vs Fulham Preview:
Leeds:
Leeds fought bravely with the Champions and were just minutes away to snatch a deserved draw at Fortress Anfield. It wasn’t just about the result but the display Leeds United showed against Liverpool. Not many teams will try to take the game against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Now Leeds focus shifts to a match where they are the frontrunners to emerge victorious. Many will expect Leeds to overcome the challenge Fulham might pose to them. They faced a crushing defeat to Hull midweek in the Carabao Cup. Losing on penalties is always painful for the fans of the losing side. With this being Leed’s first home match after Promotion, They will want to make it a memorable one.
Fulham:
Fulham returned with a night their fans would love to forget. They were hammered by a resilient Arsenal side with no resistance shown by the toothless Fulham side. Their last Premier League campaign was defensively atrocious and it looks like the defense will again be Fulham’s Achilles heel this season. It would have given Scott Parker and his Fulham side a reality check of what beckons them in the division above.
They will take on the team they will be familiar with after their encounters last season in the Championship. Both teams got promoted and it promises to be an amazing encounter as this will surely be a 6 pointer at the start of the season. Scott Parker will know his side might struggle for survival and will need to win fixtures against teams from the bottom table in the Premier League. Fulham did win their Carabao Cup encounter against Ipswich this Wednesday and would hope to carry that momentum this Saturday. With Leeds putting three goals past Champions the previous game week, Fulham defense will have a big test on their hands this Saturday.
Injury News:
Both the managers shall have a fit squad to choose from. Leeds might have Liam Cooper back for this match. After a nervy defensive display in their first match this season, his return is likely to boost Leeds for encounters ahead.
Predicted Line Up:
Leeds:
I expect Leeds to line up the same way. Bielsa won’t risk cooper and even after a nervy defensive display, he shall stick with the same team in my opinion.
Leeds vs Fulham Predicted 11
Fulham:
Even after the disastrous defensive display by Fulham the previous game, they do not have much better options available. Therefore in my regards, they would remain unchanged except the goalkeeping position. With the game Rodak had, Areola will come in his place in my opinion.
Leeds vs Fulham Predicted 11
Leeds on the Winning side: 23
Stalemate: 15
Fulham on the winning side: 19
Previous Encounters:
Leeds United vs Fulham 3-0 2019/2020
Fulham vs Leeds United 2-1 2019/2020
Fulham vs Leeds United 2-0 2017/2018
Leeds United vs Fulham 0-0 2017/2018
Amazing Facts:
Both Mitrovic and Bamford have scored 2 goals in the past three fixtures these sides faced off against each other.
Since Dec 2001, only one time these sides have played a goalless draw when they came up against each other.
From 2015-2017, Both sides played 4 recurring draws with a 1-1 scoreline.
5 of their last 9 encounters have ended in a stalemate.
Prediction:
Leeds United 2-1 Fulham
We finish Leeds vs Fulham Preview with our prediction that is a 2-1 Victory for Leeds at Elland Road.
With defence being both sides Achilles heel, there shall be no shortage of goals. Mitrovic will surely create problems for the Leeds defence but the only question is “Who else”. They will struggle for goals and Mitrovic’s form will be crucial for their survival bid. Leeds, on the other hand, won’t find the same space they did against Liverpool and will struggle to break Fulham down. But with the defence Fulham have got, Leeds offensive quality will find a way to nick this match two goals to one. I expect Bamford and Harrison to score for Leeds while Mitrovic getting one back for Fulham.
This was our Leeds vs Fulham Preview.
Hope you all would have liked it and do leave your predictions below in the comment section.