Leeds United
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion
Leeds have sights set on top half positions and face a Brighton side struggling for points
Leeds to win 2-1
Leeds are aiming to recover from their shock defeat at the hands of League Two side Crawley in the FA Cup last weekend, a result that was arguably the biggest surprise of the season so far.
The Peacocks actually played relatively well in the first half and had they scored first would have probably gone on to win. It is this unpredictability, however, that has seen their season swing from the brilliant to the disappointing.
Currently, they are on a good run in the league, having won three of their last five matches to propel them towards the top half of the league.
Brighton, however, have inched closer to the bottom of the table lately, having struggled to score enough goals to win matches and dropping 12 points from winning positions so far this season.
They are a good side, though will struggle against the intensity of Leeds’ style of play.
Form Guide (all comps): LWWLL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Could win three consecutive home league matches for first time since 2001
Bamford has scored in last two home games
Reasons to be fearful:
Kalvin Phillips is suspended for this match
Shipped three goals in both of their last two games
Leeds are a side of two possibilities – they are as likely to blow away their opponents as they are to be blown away themselves.
After thrashing West Brom 5-0 in their final match of 2020, they themselves have been handed two 3-0 beatings since. Indeed, no side has drawn fewer matches this season, with Leeds either rolling out winners or losers on most occasions.
Against Brighton, they will face a side who are well-organised and with high fitness levels, but have struggled to find their way to goal often enough.
Leeds will sense a fine opportunity to press forward and get the goals their play so often deserves. As an incentive, they have the chance to win three back-to-back games at home in the league for the first time in 20 years.
Star Man – Patrick Bamford
Has scored in his last two home matches for Leeds having gone the first six matches at home without scoring.
Form Guide (all comps): DLDWL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Win in FA Cup last weekend will have boosted confidence
Past four wins have all come in away matches
Reasons to be fearful:
Without a league win in nine games, the longest run in the Premier League
At 28%, they have the lowest shot conversion ratio in the league
There are worrying signs for Brighton, as they have slowly but surely slipped towards the bottom of the league table. They now sit just two points ahead of the drop.
Despite this, many feel that they still possess the quality to survive and improve as the season progresses.
With Graham Potter as their manager, they have become a well-drilled side who are rarely dominated in matches. Even against an in-form Manchester City in midweek, they only lost by a single goal and were competitive throughout.
Brighton must quickly find a way of improving their goal creation, whether that is through the players at the club currently, or by bringing in new recruits in the January transfer market.
Star Man – Percy Tau
He made his Premier League debut against City and looked sharp, setting up a chance for Mac Allister who should have scored.
Leeds are favourites to win
Brighton can cause problems of their own
Should be an even match but who can take their chances?
Leeds’ form means that they are the favourites to take all three points here, though as many sides have already discovered, Brighton are no pushovers.
The Seagulls will likely struggle with the intensity of Leeds’ style of play and they must improve their chance creation at the other end.
Leeds to win 2-1
