MY ACCOUNT
Leeds United’s 2022-23 campaign got off to a hugely encouraging start as they took seven points from the first nine available, but after a poor run of results, the pressure is on Jesse Marsch ahead of Sunday’s clash with Fulham.
The Whites thrashed Chelsea 3-0 at Elland Road earlier this season, but they have taken just two points from seven games.
Last weekend’s promising performance against Arsenal, in which the Whites deserved at least a point but walked away with nothing, had the hallmarks of a display that might kickstart Leeds’ season.
However, they followed up with a limp 2-0 defeat at struggling Leicester and must now rally fast for the arrival of Fulham if they are to avoid the possibility of slipping into the bottom three.
The Cottagers arrive on a high, having routed Aston Villa at Craven Cottage on Thursday night, defying pre-season expectations to sit in the top half of the Premier League.
Marco Silva’s men have shown up well in some tricky away games this term, and some Fulham supporters may be making the trip north more in expectation than hope.
Team news
Leeds winger Stuart Dallas is still a couple of months off returning from a broken leg, while Adam Forshaw will be out until early November as he recovers from a hernia operation.
Marsch will be hopeful that Pascal Struijk and Archie Gray return after failing to make the squad in midweek, but both are rated no better than 50/50.
Youngster Leo Hjelde is recovering from an appendectomy and is close to returning to the first team.
For Fulham, midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah returns from a three-match suspension, but attacker Daniel James cannot face his parent club.
Loan signings Layvin Kurzawa and Manor Solomon remain out with calf and knee injuries, respectively.
The pair may not be joined on the sidelines by Netherlands international right-back Kenny Tete, though, as he has an outside chance of returning this weekend.
The stats
Leeds lost just two of their 12 home games against teams outside of the top seven last term, but a failure to turn one point into three at Elland Road held them back, and United managed just four wins in those 12 games and drew six.
This season is shaping up in a similar fashion, albeit with their early season victory over Chelsea a notable outlier.
Marsch’s side lost at home to Arsenal but have won only one of their three home games against fellow bottom-half sides, drawing against Everton and Aston Villa.
Fulham’s record of 11 points collected at Craven Cottage and just four taken from five away games gives the impression of a strong home bias to their performances.
However, Silva’s men were unfortunate in their three away defeats, playing well in each of those trips to strong opposition.
Fulham created presentable chances to nick a point in each of their 2-1 defeats at Arsenal and Tottenham, while their 3-1 loss at West Ham was a tad unfortunate due to questionable refereeing decisions, while they also hit the crossbar.
Prediction
Sunday’s contest is a tough match to call, as there are good arguments for all three outcomes.
However, it is not hard to make a case for either the draw or a Fulham victory rules out backing Leeds at even money.
The Whites are a good side at Elland Road, but recent home draws against struggling Everton, and Aston Villa makes them unappealing at short prices.
Equally, United are no pushovers, particularly in front of their own fans, and while Fulham are enjoying an excellent campaign, this will be one of their tougher away assignments outside of trips to last season’s top six.
At the prices, the draw at 5/2 via LiveScore Bet looks the best way to go, with neither team likely to overwhelm their opponent this weekend.
