Leeds United
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for the home side lately. They’re sitting 16th, and while Elland Road is usually rocking, they’ve struggled to turn that energy into wins. They’re coming off a run of draws where they just couldn’t find the net enough, despite having a fair few chances.
I reckon their biggest issue is that they sometimes forget how to defend when they’re trying to play that high-pressing game. If they leave gaps against a side like Arsenal, they’re going to get punished.
But, if they can get the crowd involved early and make it a physical battle, they’ve got a sniff. They’ve gotta be better than that 5-0 shellacking they took at the Emirates earlier this season, that’s for sure.
Team News: Dan James is still sidelined with a hamstring issue. Gabriel Gudmundsson is a massive doubt with a groin problem, and Jaka Bijol is likely out with a hamstring strain.
Predicted Lineup: Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Tanaka, Rothwell; Aaronson, Gnonto, Solomon; Piroe.
Arsenal
Arsenal are looking like a serious machine right now. They’re top of the pile and haven’t missed a beat in their last few outings. That 5-0 win against Leeds earlier in the season was clinical - they barely gave them an opening and looked dangerous every time they went forward.
What’s impressed me most is how balanced they look. They aren’t just about the flashy goals anymore; they’re actually tough to break down. They’ve got the best defensive record in the league for a reason.
Traveling to Elland Road is never easy, but they’ve got the composure to handle a hostile atmosphere, even with a couple of injury niggles at the back.
Team News: William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are major doubts after missing training with niggles. Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz are back in the mix, though their minutes might be managed.
Predicted Lineup: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Odegaard, Merino; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
