Inconsistency has plagued Jesse Marsch’s Leeds this season, so they’ll have a keen eye on adding to Steven Gerrard’s difficult start to the season.
11th place Leeds United host 14th place Aston Villa at Elland Road this weekend, Sunday 2nd October 2022 in what seems can only be a goal fest.
Both sides have shipped 10 goals already this season, 3 more than Wolves who sit just above the relegation zone in 17th place.
The home side are unbeaten this season at home in the league, including a narrow win over Wolves, a stalemate 1-1 draw to Everton and thrashing Chelsea 3-0.
This doesn’t fair well for the Birmingham-based outfit, who have lost all 3 games on the road this season and shipping 7 goals in the process.
Villa boss Steven Gerrard has been under a lot of criticism and pressure this season as a result of their results and performances and will be hoping to get a result to ease it.
Maintaining the tiny bit of form they’ve found in their last 2 games will be crucial with the upcoming fixture schedule leading up to the World Cup.
Gerrard will be hoping that history will repeat itself, as Villa haven’t suffered defeat to Leeds since 2020, winning twice and drawing once since.
Potential Absences:
Leeds’ small squad seems set to be made even smaller this week, missing 2 key starters in Stuart Dallas and Rodrigo, to thigh and shoulder injuries and are ruled out for the Villa fixture.
Luis Sinisterra could also miss the fixture as he will be returning late from international duty with Columbia, meaning Marsch may not deem him prepared enough for the fixture.
Meanwhile, Gerrard’s Villa have been dealt massive injury hits already this season and it isn’t looking good for them currently.
Big summer signings Boubakar Kamara and Diego Carlos, alongside fullback pairing Luca Digne and Matty Cash are all out injured.
A big blow for any side to miss any one of these players, let alone all 4 at the same time.
Predicted Lineups:
Here is my prediction for the line ups on Sunday, with plenty of changes for either side due to form and injury.
Notable predictions include: Cooper in for Leeds due to their poor defensive displays of late, Bailey making his 4th consecutive league start and Patrick Bamford making his eventual return from injury.