Leeds United host Arsenal FC in their first match after the second and last international break this year as English Premier League (EPL) gear up for an intense and taxing schedule until March next year. The Whites trail Arsenal by two points and sit four places below in the EPL table.
Two of the oldest clubs in England, Leeds United and Arsenal have faced 120 times in the past with the Gunners winning 47 times and losing 41 matches, while 32 clashes between them have ended in draws.
LEEDS UNITED
The Peacocks have mellowed down after a thunderous start in the Premier League at Anfield. Marcelo Bielsa‘s men will be approaching the Arsenal clash at the back of consecutive 4-1 defeats against Leicester City and Crystal Palace, respectively. To make things worse, Leeds are racing against time to get star player Kalvin Phillips fit for the big clash. Rodrigo, on the other hand, will continue to be in self-isolation after testing positive for coronavirus earlier in the month.
ARSENAL
The Gunners, on the hand, had a long and frustrating international break following a 3-0 thrashing by Aston Villa in their backyard. Mikel Arteta has been under constant scrutiny over the last fortnight and the Spaniard will look to get over that as soon as possible. Arsenal trail league leaders Leicester City by six points and with a lengthy run of matches coming ahead, fans would hope their team to regain their form. Arteta will be without Mohamed Elneny and Sead Kolasinac, who are coronavirus positive. However, a bigger blow will be Thomas Partey’s absence who is still recovering from injury alongside Pablo Mari, Reiss Nelson, Calum Chambers and Gabriel Martinelli.
PREDICTED XI
Leeds United: Illan Meslier; Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas; Helder Costa, Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich, Jack Harrison, Tyler Roberts, Patrick Bamford
Arsenal: Bernd Leno; Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhães, Kieran Tierney; Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka; Willian, Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Patrick Bamford remains Leeds United’s biggest threat going upfront. The English forward has already scored seven goals and provided two assists in eight matches for his club this season and will look to exploit Arsenal’s defence at every chance he gets. Apart from him, Kalvin Phillips will play a pivotal role for Bielsa as well with the midfield transition solely resting upon him.
Arsenal FC have faced obstacles scoring from open play in the Premier League this season and any attempt to overturn that could solely come from Aubameyang. The under-performing striker has four goals and an assist in 10 matches and is desperate to regain his mojo. Apart from him, defender Gabriel Magalhaes has been an impactful figure for Arsenal this season at the back.
WHERE TO WATCH LEEDS UNITED VS ARSENAL
With the official Premier League broadcast and streaming rights in India being with the Star Sports Network till 2022, select matches will be telecasted live on Star Sports SD and HD TV channels. Online live streaming of the EPL in India for all fixtures can be found on Disney+ Hotstar – Star’s own OTT platform.
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