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

[BelfastAndy]

6pm KO



Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin made his comeback at the weekend but it's unclear if he's fit to start after his lengthy Covid-19 absence.

Javier Manquillo is doubtful, while Federico Fernandez, Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett all remain out.

Leeds are boosted by the return of Illan Meslier and Kalvin Phillip after illness and suspension respectively.

However, the Whites remain without Robin Koch and Gaetano Berardi, while Diego Llorente is not yet match-fit.

Leeds had the weekend off after going out of the FA Cup and, the way they play, that rest will make them even more dangerous.

They will be running even more than usual, and they have key midfielder Kalvin Phillips back after he miss the defeat by Brighton through suspension.

Newcastle are in awful form - without a win in 10 games in all competitions, with seven defeats and only four goals in that period.

If sacking season has started now, with Frank Lampard leaving Chelsea, then Steve Bruce is in trouble as Newcastle manager if this run continues.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Leeds are looking to complete the league double over Newcastle for the first time since 1975-76.Newcastle have won eight of the past 12 meetings in all competitions, drawing two and losing two.

Newcastle United

Newcastle are winless in eight league matches, drawing twice and losing six.They have lost four successive Premier League matches, they last lost five consecutively in May 2015.

Newcastle could fail to score in five straight matches for the first time since March 1981.They have won just three of their past 13 matches at St James' Park, drawing four, losing six and keeping one clean sheet.The Magpies could lose home and away games against a promoted side for just the third time in the Premier League.

Newcastle have only attempted 82 shots after nine Premier League home games, their lowest tally since Opta records began in 2003.Steve Bruce has never lost a home league match against Leeds as a manager, winning five and drawing twice.

Leeds United

Leeds have lost three successive games in all competitions without scoring.The Whites are in danger of losing four matches in a row for the first time since November 2017.They have lost five of their past eight fixtures, winning the other three - 32 goals were scored over that period.Marcelo Bielsa's side have scored in all but one of their nine away league fixtures.

Leeds have conceded 34 goals, with only West Brom letting in more.Patrick Bamford scored seven goals from 29 shots in his first eight games this season but has since only scored three goals from 36 shots in 10 matches.

0 - 2.

MOT.

[Billyni]

Bye bye Brucie Brucie bye byeee
1-4

[alfinyalcabo]

Could do with a Leeds win in this so to keep the Geordies near the bottom. Go Leeds go..

[Tichi1]

Hope Llorrente gets a game tonight, want to see Ayling back at RB anf possibly Dallas at LB - get Phillips back in his DM role, and the recently looking knackered Klitch/Harrison should have a bit of energy to burn after their two weeks rest.

Come on Leeds, you've had your rest, lets see the performances we showed at Villa/Everon/Liverpool/West Brom again.

[klix]

Newcastle have been on tv more times than Boris Johnson recently, sick to death of watching them,they are pants total pants
If we get turned over serious questions need to be asked.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Llorente must surely play - back 6 of

Meslier
ayling Llorente Cooper Dallas
Phillips

Should make us a lot more solid defending and better going forward from out wide.

Interesting in the press conference MB spoke of allowing players to rest too.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Wow Dallas in for Klich!

[Billyni]

My optimism has returned.
3pts it is.

[UbiqueLUFC33]

Happy with that line up. I think Klich needs a rest and I am much happier with Ayling at RB. We also have a pretty strong bench (for us).

Fingers crossed that we can get an early goal, build some confidence and then utterly destroy them.

[Billyni]

Llorente is a used car with no mot