Newcastle - v - Leeds United ***Matchday Thread***

[BelfastAndy]

Newcastle United v Leeds United
Wednesday 7th January @ 20:15 | St James Park



Leeds are back in action, as Daniel Farke?s side travel up to St James? Park to face Newcastle United on Wednesday night. Both teams played on Sunday; Leeds holding Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at Elland Road in a lunchtime kick-off, while Newcastle registered a comfortable 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace. With barely 72 hours between fixtures, squad rotation and injury management will be at the forefront of both managers? minds.

Newcastle?s recent record against Leeds offers a mixed bag of results. The Magpies have secured just one win in their last seven Premier League meetings with the Yorkshire club (drawn four, lost two), that lone triumph coming in a 1-0 victory at Elland Road in January 2022. Yet Eddie Howe?s men arrive in confident form, unbeaten in their last seven home league matches (W5 D2) and finding the net exactly twice in each of those games. Leeds, by contrast, have been stalwart on the road, going three Premier League away games without defeat, all draws against Brentford, Sunderland and Liverpool, a run they haven?t extended to four since December 2001 under David O?Leary. The Whites have drawn five out of six of their last games!

Both teams will be missing key personnel, exacerbating the challenge of a quick turnaround. Leeds still expect winger Daniel James to be side-lined for several weeks as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained in the 3-2 defeat at Manchester City in late November. Centre-back Joe Rodon, who aggravated an ankle ligament issue in the 1-1 draw at Sunderland just before Christmas, faces another fortnight on the side-lines. Right-back Jaiden Bogle missed Sunday?s game due to a minor calf problem; with James Justin covering admirably at right-back, Farke is unlikely to rush Bogle back until he feels fully fit.

Midfield veteran Sean Longstaff, made a surprise bench appearance at Elland Road against Manchester Utd, yet Farke admitted that his presence was as much about his leadership around the dressing room prompting speculation that he is not yet ready to return to first team action. Skipper Ethan Ampadu returns after his one match ban, probably meaning that Ilea Gruev drops to the bench.

Newcastle cannot escape their own casualty list. Centre-half Dan Burn is ruled out with a rib problem, while fellow defenders Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles remain on the treatment table with knee and long-term fitness issues respectively. Danish forward William Osula has been side-lined by an ankle injury, and winger Jacob Murphy is considered doubtful after picking up a slight hamstring complaint against Palace. On a more positive note, Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier are edging back from a knee and thigh injury respectively, and both could feature off the bench or even start if Howe opts for rotation.

Given these absences, both Farke and Howe will lean on squad depth and tactical flexibility. Leeds may revert to a back three or pack the midfield in order to shield their makeshift defence, while Newcastle could deploy a more conservative front line, relying on the industrious Joelinton and the creativity of Anthony Gordon to break down stubborn opponents. The contest also provides another opportunity for Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has netted six times against Newcastle in Premier League play, only Crystal Palace have conceded more of his goals (seven).

Credit: motforum.com

MOT.

[ozleeds]

God, from snow over there to a heatwave here, and Leeds playing once again, which Leeds will prevail?
Yesterday, 43 ?C (109.4?F), today 45 ?C (113?F).. I'm not sure I will be alive to see it.
So, will the game go ahead, or is the snow as bad as it looks on TV?

[BelfastAndy]

[norfolk white]

Not really sure what gruev brings to the team, I prefer tanaka, more creative and scores.

[norfolk white]

Also, I get we’re away from home and need to be a bit defensive but no Okafor or nmechca starting, what happened to the two up front, someone else stated farke was slowly going back to his old ways, I hope not.

[whitestomper45]

Not easiest place to go especially midweek, our fans up in top tier (think it makes for crap tv viewing only seeing home fans) would think it be like Liverpool match, stay in game and go for it later with fresh legs. If you didn’t notice, the opposition has been tough of late, hence staying in game at start. Fully expect to be more adventurous against bottom half of league teams MOT

[ozleeds]

https://buffstreams.plus/premier-lea...united/1020252

[cherrypie7]

Also, I get we’re away from home and need to be a bit defensive but no Okafor or nmechca starting, what happened to the two up front, someone else stated farke was slowly going back to his old ways, I hope not.

Norfolk, I think Aaronson and Calvert-Leuwin are the 2 up front.

[ozleeds]

F Aaronson Justin on his own near corner post and he passes it on the ground to castle player. I don't care what anyone says he is the most unrainy weak player ever. If running and falling over is football well he is class.

[Billyni]

Stach has taken over the shyt shooting from Arronnsson