Leeds United can’t dwell on what could have been away at Newcastle United last time out. Attention turns to the rest of the Premier League season, after this weekend’s FA Cup clash.
The FA Cup visit to Derby County this weekend provides some ideal respite for Daniel Farke and his squad. There ought to be plenty of rotation to give key players some important time to rest.
Later in January, Leeds have two crucial games back-to-back. First, we face Fulham at home and then Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium after that.
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Leeds United need to target at least one win in next two Premier League games vs Fulham, Everton
It’s not the end of the world that we’re tasting defeat for the first time since November. We’ve opened up an eight-point gap as a result. Meanwhile, the popular consensus around West Ham is that they feel doomed for the drop.
Leeds are currently on course for around 39-40 points, based on their point-per-game ratio. With that, it means West Ham need to be aiming to pick up a further 25-plus points (in 18 games) to catch us by the end of the campaign – should we maintain our pace.
Leeds United will be hoping to keep Fulham’s Harry Wilson quiet at Elland Road. (Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough)
To relieve some of the pressure of looking over our shoulders, a win in the next two games would be really big. Up first are Fulham at home. The Cottagers have risen well away from the relegation dogfight of late. That’s been thanks largely to the form of Harry Wilson, because of course it is.
However, if Nigeria progress through to AFCON’s semi-finals this weekend, Fulham will come to Elland Road without Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samu Chukwueze. It’s an opportunity for sure.
Then, it’s a first-ever Monday night visit to Everton’s Hull Dickinson Stadium.
Everton handed Michael Keane blow ahead of Leeds United meeting
The Toffees are seven clear of United as things stand. But, they have had a handful of rough matchdays at their shiny new stadium since November.
Pasted 4-1 by Newcastle in late November and thumped 4-2 by Brentford on Sunday, they have followed that up with a 1-1 draw at home to Wolves.
Not only were they held by the bottom club, but finished the game down to nine men as discipline went out of the window.
Everton’s James Tarkowski reacts as Everton’s Michael Keane is sent off. (Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes)
Toffees goalscorer Michael Keane was handed a straight red card for violent conduct as he yanked back Tolu Arokodare’s hair during an aerial dual. He was joined in a somewhat early shower by Jack Grealish, who picked up a second booking on 90 minutes for sarcastically clapping the referee awarding him a free-kick.
While Grealish will be available by the time Leeds rock up on Merseyside, Keane won’t be. He was punished for violent conduct, which carries an automatic three-match suspension.
“In addition, a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible.”
As a result, he misses their FA Cup tie, a trip to Aston Villa on the 18th, and then the home meeting against Leeds on the 26th.
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