It is less than 48 hours until Leeds United are in action for the fourth time in the Premier League this season, as The Whites go to Fulham looking to improve on their first away outing.
While it was a trip to The Emirates, Leeds did nothing to prevent Arsenal from orchestrating a massacre on Daniel Farke’s side. Leeds’ record in London is poor, but the 5-0 loss was more, it was humbling.
Leeds responded with a solid performance against Newcastle at Elland Road. But away from home, Leeds were far below the best versions of themselves last season, and there is a worry that could continue.
Leeds fans will learn more about the strength of their side in the fight against relegation when away from home, on Saturday. A trip to Marco Silva’s Fulham, who will be desperate to win after VAR controversy.
Daniel Farke during Leeds' clash against Newcastle.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Paul Merson predicts Leeds United’s clash against Fulham
Not many will have backed Leeds to get four points from the opening three games, but they did just that. On Saturday however, Farke has confirmed Leeds could be without five key players including Lucas Perri.
Perri will miss the next two games, while Lukas Nmecha, Joel Piroe, Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka are all doubts for the clash. After Farke’s update, Tanaka seemed to drop a hint on social media about his injury.
Ahead of the game, Paul Merson praised Leeds for their start to the season and compared them to fellow newly-promoted side Sunderland. But he wrote in his Sports Keeda column that Fulham will win 2-0.
Marco Silva during Fulham's clash against Luton.
Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
“I have been impressed with Leeds. Like Sunderland, Leeds should look to make their home ground a fortress. Elland Road can be an intimidating place to go to when things are going right for Leeds,” he said.
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“But I have a feeling they will struggle on the road. We saw that at the Emirates, where Leeds looked alright for the first 20-odd minutes. As soon as they conceded the opening goal, they started to crumble.”
How the Leeds United team could look come Saturday at Fulham
Farke has already confirmed that Karl Darlow will replace Perri, with Illan Meslier set to sit on the bench over Alex Cairns. Then, there is the matter of deciding who is fit, who is not and who comes in instead.
Paul Merson on punditry duty in the North London derby.
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Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach and Willy Gnonto are all nailed on to start the match. Pascal Struijk, Lukas Nmecha, Ilia Gruev and Dan James are up for debate.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin could win his first start up top, Jaka Bijol may finally start in place of Struijk and Ampadu has got to start even if he is only partly fit. James has struggled to replicate his best form so far.
Welsh media were critical of James in the week during a defeat to Jesse Marsch’s Canada and it might be time to see Noah Okafor, and what £18m gets you. Five potential changes for Farke to make at Fulham.