Leeds United will host Fulham at Elland Road on Saturday, with both teams eager to continue their solid runs of form.
Leeds United have been difficult to beat in recent weeks, and they have lost just one of their last six Premier League matches ahead of the game vs Fulham. However, the Whites have drawn quite a few matches, and they need to start picking up wins now. It will be interesting to see whether they can put on a strong performance against the London club at home.
On the other hand, Fulham are in impressive form right now. The Whites will certainly fancy their chances of getting a good result here. Marco Silva’s men have picked up four wins and two draws from their last six Premier League matches, and their most recent Premier League outing was a 2-1 win over Chelsea.
The West London outfit are full of confidence and momentum right now. It remains to be seen whether they can pick up all three points against the relegation fodder. Meanwhile, both teams picked up 3-1 wins to progress to the FA Cup fourth round last weekend, and The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Leeds United
Daniel Farke could miss out on Sebastiaan Bornauw (adductor), while Daniel James remains sidelined with a hamstring issue. However, Jayden Bogle and Joe Rodon are fit and available to take on Fulham.
Leeds United will shape up in a 3-5-2 formation vs Fulham, with Lucas Perri in goal. In the back three, Pascal Struijk will start alongside Jaka Bijol, and Joe Rodon. Meanwhile, Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson will start as the wing-backs.
The wide duo will look to keep things tight at the back and hit the home side on the break. As for the midfield unit, Anton Stach and Ilia Gruev will provide defensive cover and physicality in the middle of the park.
Brenden Aaronson will add drive to the midfield alongside them. Finally, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will lead the line for Leeds United vs Fulham, with Noah Okafor lining up alongside him in the final third.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Perri; Rodon, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Stach, Aaronson, Gruev, Gudmundsson; Calvert-Lewin, Okafor
Fulham
Rodrigo Muniz is out with a hamstring problem, and Kenny Tete has a muscular problem. Meanwhile, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze are still at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria. Joshua King faces a late fitness test to determine his availability.
Fulham will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Leeds United, with Bernd Leno in goal. Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson will start as the full-backs here, and they will look to help the team at both ends of the pitch. Joachim Andersen will start alongside Jorge Cuenca in the central defensive partnership.
As for the midfield unit, Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic will add defensive cover and physicality in the middle of the park. They will look to break up the opposition’s attacking moves and win the ball back for their side.
Emile Smith Rowe will start as the attacking midfielder here, and he will look to link the midfield with the attack. Kevin and Harry Wilson will start on the flanks, and they will look to add pace and flair to the side. Finally, Raul Jimenez will lead the line for Fulham vs Leeds United on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno, Castagne, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Kevin; Jimenez
Key Stats
- Leeds United are unbeaten in five of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Fulham are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions.
- Fulham have picked up four wins from their last six matches against Leeds United.
- 14 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
- Leeds United have scored at least two goals in their last three home matches against Fulham in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Harry Wilson
The Fulham attacker is in the form of his life. Wilson has done spectacularly in recent weeks, and he is our key player to watch out for. He will look to create opportunities for his teammates here and punish the Leeds United defence.
Wilson’s winner against Chelsea last time out took his tally to 11 for Premier League goal involvements this season (G7 A4), his best return in a single campaign. Ten of those come since the start of November (A6 A4), with only Erling Haaland (12) and Igor Thiago (11) having more in that time. Wilson will need to produce a defining performance again if Fulham are to pick up all three points.
Prediction
Leeds United 2-2 Fulham
Both teams will be playing for the victory here. Neither side is defensive in their approach, and this could be an open game with plenty of chances. Leeds United have been involved in quite a few goal-laden matches lately, and this one is likely to be another entertaining affair. Both teams will get on the score sheet, but it will be difficult to separate them. They are likely to share the spoils in a high-scoring draw.
