Leeds United vs Arsenal
Time – India: 10:00 PM (Sunday); UK: 04:30 PM (Sunday)
Venue: Elland Road
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Both Leeds United and Arsenal went into the international break on the back of heavy defeats. Leeds lost 4-1 at Crystal Palace, which came after another 4-1 defeat at home to Leicester City and the Gunners were outplayed in 3-0 home defeat against Aston Villa.
The break came at a good time for both the clubs as they look to rectify the mistakes that led to such heavy defeats earlier in the month.
Leeds are two points behind Arsenal in the Premier League and have not beaten them since 2003. But the defensive and mental frailties Mikel Arteta’s men showed against Villa at home should give the Whites confidence to have a go at them.
Conversely, Arsenal will also look at the last two results of Marcelo Bielsa’s side and will feel that they could get their season back on track with a positive result and performance at Elland Road.
With two flawed teams pairing against each other, the game is likely to be intriguing and Bielsa’s commitment to playing positive football, it is also expected to be an entertaining encounter on Sunday.
Leeds United vs Arsenal: Head-to-Head
Total games – 120
Leeds United wins – 41
Arsenal wins – 47
Draws – 32
Arsenal have a slight edge over Leeds in this fixture since the first time these two sides met in December 1924.
They haven’t met in the league since 2004 and their last meeting came in the FA Cup earlier in the year when Arsenal just edge a 1-0 win over Leeds, who were still in the Championship.
Leeds United vs Arsenal: Recent form
Leeds United form: L-L-W-L-D
Arsenal form: L-W-W-W-L
Leeds United are coming into the game on the back of two 4-1 defeats to Leicester and Crystal Palace respectively. They have ten points from their opening eight games but have won just once in their last five, which also consists of three losses.
Arsenal’s form, on the contrary, looks better on paper but a number of those wins came in the Europa League. The story in the league is not too dissimilar to Leeds and have lost three of their last four in the Premier League. The only win came at Manchester United.
Leeds United vs Arsenal: Team news
Leeds United
Kalvin Phillips is set to return to the team after recovering from a shoulder injury and will slot straight back into the starting eleven. Rodrigo has also recovered from a bout of coronavirus and should be in the team against Arsenal as well.
Pablo Hernandez won’t be available due to a muscle problem.
Arsenal
Thomas Partey has been ruled out of the game due to a thigh injury he picked up on international duty. Mikel Arteta’s worries in midfield have been compounded by the fact that Mohamed Elneny also tested positive for the coronavirus during the international break.
Sead Kolasinac also picked up the virus on international duty. Pablo Mari, Calum Chambers and Gabriel Martinelli remain unavailable due to injuries.
Leeds United vs Arsenal: Probable XI
Leeds United: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas; Phillips; Costa, Rodrigo, Klich, Harrison; Bamford
Arsenal: Leno; Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Bellerin, Ceballos, Xhaka, Saka; Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Leeds United vs Arsenal: Where to watch
India: Star Sports 2, Star Sports Select HD 2
UK: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League
Stream in India: Disney+ Hotstar
Stream in the UK: Sky Sports App
Leeds United vs Arsenal: Prediction
It is hard to nail down from these games as both sides are approaching on the back of some poor form. Leeds have won just once in their last five and Arsenal have lost three of their last four Premier League.
Marcelo Bielsa’s commitment to playing good football should make it an entertaining game but it is hard to say whether Arsenal will continue to try and play defensively against a side who got promoted from the Championship last season.
If Leeds are on their mark, they are a hard team to play against and they have already proven against the big teams who tricky a side they can. However, we will sit on the sidelines and predict an entertaining draw.
Leeds United vs Arsenal predicted scoreline: 2-2
Also Read: 5 games to look forward to after the international break