MX23RW : Sunday, December 20 04:29:25| >> :120:33610:33610:
Dec 16, 2020 at 6pm UK at Elland Road
LeedsLeeds United
5-2
NewcastleNewcastle United
Bamford (35'), Rodrigo (61'), Dallas (77'), Alioski (85'), Harrison (88')
Klich (37'), Phillips (48'), Raphinha (67')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Hendrick (26'), Clark (65')
Hayden (50')

Preview: Leeds United vs. Newcastle United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Premier League clash between Leeds United and Newcastle United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two teams in contrasting form face off at Elland Road on Wednesday evening as Leeds United play host to Newcastle United.

Leeds have lost back-to-back games to slip down to 14th, while Newcastle are now three points better off than their opponents thanks to rare successive victories.


Match preview

Newcastle United's Dwight Gayle celebrates scoring against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on December 12, 2020© Reuters

Newcastle followed up a late 2-0 win over Crystal Palace with a 2-1 victory against West Bromwich Albion to pick up two wins on the spin for the first time post-lockdown.

Dwight Gayle struck the winner against his former club eight minutes from time after Darnell Furlong had cancelled out Miguel Almiron's first-minute opener at St James' Park.

Those victories were a couple of weeks apart due to Newcastle's planned trip to Aston Villa being called off due to a coronavirus outbreak in their camp.

Steve Bruce had to make some changes for the West Brom match but the Magpies appear to be in the clear for this trip to Elland Road, where they are unbeaten in five league games.

Indeed, Newcastle have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League games in Yorkshire, winning nine of those, since losing 1-0 at Huddersfield Town in August 2017.

Raphinha celebrates scoring for Leeds United against Everton in the Premier League on November 28, 2020© Reuters

Leeds will be desperate to put that right on Wednesday as they seek a return to winning ways.

The Whites have slipped three places since beating Everton 1-0 a little over a fortnight ago, losing both games since then despite scoring first in the losses to Chelsea and West Ham United.

Mateusz Klich gave Marcelo Bielsa's men the lead against West Ham, only for Tomas Soucek to equalise before half time and Angelo Ogbonna to complete the turnaround late on.

Leeds have now conceded seven goals from set-pieces this season, the joint highest in the league with Leicester City, and Bielsa admitted after the West Ham defeat that his side simply need to improve in that regard.

Incidentally, this will be Bielsa's 114th match in charge of Leeds in all competitions - the most that he has managed a single club in his career, overtaking the 113 he managed with Athletic Bilbao.

Leeds United Premier League form: LLDWLL

Newcastle United Premier League form: DWLLWW


Team News

Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford celebrates scoring against Aston Villa in October 2020© Reuters

Given the quick turnaround in games, Leeds will still be without Gaetano Berardi, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Adam Forshaw for this match.

Bielsa may opt to freshen things up slightly, with Jamie Shackleton and Tyler Roberts contenders to come into the side after being introduced from the bench against West Ham.

Patrick Bamford has netted only once in his last four games, but he is still sixth in the Premier League scoring charts and is certain to lead the line here.

As for Newcastle, Jamaal Lascelles, Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser missed the win over West Brom and are therefore doubtful to face Leeds.

Jacob Murphy was brought on for Emil Krafth at the weekend and may be asked to fill in out of position at right-back on Wednesday.

After scoring the winner last time out, Gayle will be hopeful of forcing his way into the side at the expense of Joelinton in attack.

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski; Phillips; Costa, Rodrigo, Klich, Harrison; Bamford

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Darlow; Murphy, Hayden, Clark, Lewis; Almiron, Longstaff, Shelvey, Ritchie; Joelinton, Wilson


SM words green background

We say: Leeds United 1-1 Newcastle United

This is the first Premier League meeting between the sides since January 2004 and it is Newcastle who enter the game in better form.

Leeds have struggled to hold onto leads in recent games and are slipping down the division, though they did remain unbeaten in all 14 of their midweek games in the Championship last season.

Not since November 2018 have Newcastle won three top-flight games in a row, meanwhile, and we can see that wait going on a little longer come the end of this contest.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:


ID:426455:cQx

How you voted: Leeds vs Newcastle

Leeds United
42.3%
Draw
26.8%
Newcastle United
31.0%
142
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West Ham United manager David Moyes celebrates in October 2020
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1494136191731
2Everton148242519626
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs1374225121325
4Leicester CityLeicester138052417724
5Southampton147342519624
6Manchester CityMan City136521912723
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd127232219323
8Chelsea1364326141222
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham136342116521
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves136251317-420
11Aston Villa116142113819
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle135351722-518
13Crystal Palace145361925-618
14Leeds UnitedLeeds135262224-217
15Arsenal144281218-614
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton132561521-611
17Fulham142481323-1010
18Burnley12246618-1210
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom131481026-167
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd130112724-171

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