England Premier League
Saturday 22nd January 2022
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Elland Road
Match Preview:
How to learn from your recent defeat, that is what Leeds did and their approach against West Ham in the league was refreshing especially from Marcelo Bielsa, with the manager being stubborn in his tactics. Here we had a situation where West Ham had knocked Leeds out of the FA Cup in London winning 2-0 and yet a few days later the teams met in the same venue and Bielsa’s side were able to win 3-2.
There has been a threat over Leeds survival this season but they have won two games in a row now, have 22 points and have climbed to 15th place. Of course the club are far from out of the woods but the signs have been encouraging and they are 9 points from the bottom three.
At home Leeds have struggled winning just 30% of their games and their majority result has been draws with 4 so far. The clubs last game at home finished in a 3-1 victory over Burnley and it is just one defeat in their last five.
Newcastle are in 19th place and 10 points behind Leeds and even though they have dipped into the transfer market fans are still waiting for a change in the clubs fortunes. They have gone their last two games without defeat after drawing against Manchester United and Watford but on both occasions they were winning those games and especially against Watford that would have felt like a defeat.
Even with victory at the weekend Eddie Howe’s side will still be in the bottom three but it will give them a fighting chance to survive this season in the Premier League and they need to start putting wins together but victories have been hard to come by with just 1 so far.
The Magpies have drawn 45% of their games and lost 50% and on the road they are yet to win, losing six from nine games played. The club come into this game having lost their last 3 and are conceding on average 2 goals per game on the road. The worst stat though is that currently they have the worst away record in the league.
Team News:
Leeds: Patrick Bamford has been ruled out with a foot injury, Charlie Cresswell has a shoulder injury and won’t return for at least two weeks. Junior Firpo has a hamstring injury and is ruled out it is the same problem for Adam Forshaw. Sam Greenwood is due out for an extended time with a knee injury. Tyler Roberts will be assessed for fitness issues. Jamie Shackleton won’t be back for at least another two weeks. Kalvin Phillips has been ruled out until at least March with his hamstring injury it is the same case for Liam Cooper.
Newcastle: Ciaran Clark is only 50/50 to return for this game after illness. Fernandez won’t return for at least two weeks because of his thigh, Isaac Hayden is out for at least two months with a knee injury. Callum Wilson is not due back until March with an injury to his calf.
Leeds vs Newcastle Head to Head:
Last season in this fixture Leeds put 5 past Newcastle as they ran out 5-2 winners.
It’s been 5 games since Newcastle managed to beat Leeds going back to 2016.
The last 4 games have all seen both teams to score.
Leeds vs Newcastle Prediction:
Leeds scored 3 goals past West Ham in their last game and that would have given Bielsa’s side a lot of confidence coming into this game. It is widely known that the club are under strength and have many players missing, but they have adapted an us vs them mentality and maybe it is working.
Leeds have a decent record over Newcastle and being at home they will be sure to give their all. Newcastle are still struggling and need to adapt quick or despite their proposed billions will be going down. This is a tough game for the Magpies even if Leeds will not be the strongest test for them. The problem with Newcastle is it has been all talk and very little action. Yes the club can come here and take all 3 points but not many punters will feel confidence in backing them.
Jack Harrison scored a hat trick in his last game for Leeds and he will be looking for more opportunities up front. Leeds defence is suspect and that is why the confident choice here is to back both teams to score but Leeds may just have the edge over 90 minutes also. Expect a closer game than last season’s mauling.
Leeds vs Newcastle Betting Tips:
Leeds to beat Newcastle at 2.00
Both teams to score at 1.57
Anytime goalscorer: Jack Harrison at 3.00
Anytime goalscorer: Allan Saint-Maximin at 4.00
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