Leeds United vs Fulham
Here are two Premier League teams who love to attack.
Indeed, I remember covering this fixture two seasons ago which highlighted the best and worst of both clubs at the time – a seven goal thriller which went the way of the hosts.
Fulham have gone down and come straight back up since then.
Meanwhile, Leeds thrived in their first top-flight season for 16 years and then went the other way and only survived by a whisker.
So how they can be currently judged?
Well to date this term, both have shown improvement to prompt a belief they may stay in the Premier League with a bit to spare.
However, consistency remains the name of the game.
Talking Points
One reason for optimism amongst fans of the Cottagers and the Yorkshire club is the way they have taken on some of the big boys.
On the opening day of the season, for example, newly promoted Fulham went head-to-head with last season’s runners-up Liverpool and deserved a 2-2 draw.
Then last weekend, Leeds did the same to league leaders Arsenal and, while they lost by a solitary goal, it wasn’t due to lack of application or talent – more a failure to convert their chances, not least from the penalty spot.
With that approach in both camps, this is one game I’m expecting to produce goals this weekend.
Both sides experienced mixed results on Thursday night.
Fulham were excellent at home to Aston Villa, recording a 3-0 victory which was secured by goals from Harrison Reed, Aleksandar Mitrovic, plus an own goal, and one in which former Chelsea midfield man Willian and Andreas Pereira were particularly impressive.
It was an evening of Premier League highlights for the boys from the Thames as they recorded their biggest league victory in nine years.
It is also clear that Marco Silva’s side are heavily dependent on a striker who scored eight goals in his first 10 games this season and one of this game’s most intriguing subplots could revolve around how Mitrovic handles the invariably febrile Elland Road atmosphere.
They will give a fitness test to Kenny Tete, who has been out with a hamstring injury and, while Nathaniel Chalobah is available after suspension, loanee Daniel James is ruled out against his parent club.
While Fulham were despatching Villa, Leeds were going down to defeat at Leicester in a display far removed from the one against Arsenal four days earlier.
American boss Jesse Marsch was even singled out for criticism by a section of his own fans.
That adds to the pressure on Sunday with the only likely change a possible return to the starting line-up for Pascal Struijk.
Leo Hjelde is expected to be available next weekend after having his appendix removed.
Leeds have lost three league games in a row and are winless in seven, five of them defeats, so they could certainly do with the points. After two Jekyll n; Hyde showings this week, which ‘version’ of Leeds turns up remains to be seen.
History
Historically, this has always been a close encounter.
Leeds have 26 wins in total, compared to Fulham’s 19 with a further 15 draws.
In 2019/20, the season both teams were promoted to the top flight, the meetings were each won by the home team.
Fulham triumphed 2-1 at home before Leeds had the upper hand in the reverse fixture.
Since then, Leeds have won all three clashes, including the one I mentioned above when Helder Costa netted twice and was joined on the scoresheet by Mateusz Klich (penalty) and Patrick Bamford.
Fulham replied through Mitrovic (two) and Bobby Decordova-Reid.
Bamford was also on target in the return fixture, won 2-1 with a goal from Raphinha. Joachim Andersen netted for Fulham.
They also met last season in the third round of the League Cup when Leeds won on spot-kicks following a goalless draw.
Before then you had to go back nearly two decades for top-flight encounters.
Leeds won 3-2 at Elland Road in late 2003 when a double from Fulham’s Louis Saha (who was to join Manchester United a month later) looked to have cancelled out goals from Michael Duberry and Mark Viduka before Dominic Matteo netted a late winner.
Fulham won the return fixture 2-0 at Craven Cottage in March 2004, courtesy of goals from Sean Davis and Luis Boa Morte.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds edge towards Leeds and so do I.
Partly, because they have lost only two of their last 11 games against Fulham, both of which came at Craven Cottage.
And partly because they can be a different beast at home.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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