Leeds United vs Newcastle United, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Leeds United vs Newcastle United Match Prediction & Analysis

With only three games remaining for Leeds, and their recently appointed interim manager Sam Allardyce, time is running out for the Whites to mount a remarkable turnaround in fortunes.

At this stage, it would be an incredible comeback for the club, having faltered under Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia throughout the season. 

With Everton, Nottingham Forest and West Ham all winning their most recent games, they simply can’t afford to lose here.

Newcastle, near the top end of the league, will want to win for very different reasons. They held their breath after losing to Arsenal last weekend, although 4th placed Manchester United also lost their game.

It leaves the Magpies still in 3rd, and they can take further advantage of that position with victory here. They haven’t lost often this season, but when they do, they often bounce back stronger.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Leeds United Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Drew their last home game, against Leicester

     Showed positives against Manchester City despite defeat

Reasons to be fearful:

     Cooper, Sinisterra and Dallas all missing

     Defeat would leave them on the brink of relegation

Unfortunately for Leeds, the appointment of Sam Allardyce may have come too late to salvage anything this season.

While the former England manager has a history of keeping teams safe from the drop, to enter with just four games remaining – including City, Newcastle and Tottenham – is a very tall order indeed.

One problem that he has here is the absences within his squad, which looks a little light on the ground right now. Tyler Adams is out for the season, while several others will miss out here.

Despite that, they gave a good account of themselves against the magnificent Manchester City last weekend. Perhaps they can offer a similar performance against another top team here?

They snatched a 1-1 draw against Leicester in their last game.

Star Man – Rodrigo

Leeds’ top scorer this season has gone through hot and cold spells across the campaign but hit the back of the net against City last weekend. Can he do the same again here?

Newcastle United Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Won four of their last six

     Only lost two in a row once this season

Reasons to be fearful

     Can’t seem to fit Isak and Wilson into the same team

     Will face a very intense Leeds’ home crowd here

Very few times have we seen Newcastle outclassed this season, but that’s the difference between Arsenal, Manchester City and everyone else at the moment.

The Gunners were in superb form at St. James’ Park last weekend and Eddie Howe’s men had no answer for it. He will look to make a statement response here, and cement 3rd spot in the process.

That game was one of the few times that we’ve seen Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak start the game together, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed that the Magpies didn’t quite have the same cut and thrust upfront.

We may see a return of just one number nine here, especially with Allan Saint-Maximin returning to fitness. Either way, their forward line should be too strong for Leeds’ backline if they return to form.

Star Man – Alexander Isak

Was played out wide against Arsenal with little joy – he should move back to his central role here. With Saint-Maximin also back in the team, he’ll be licking his lips against a weak Leeds defence.