Leeds United travel to Brighton on Saturday afternoon, with the Seagulls having to juggle EFL Cup involvement this evening against Arsenal.
After defeat to Burnley, it was paramount that Leeds got back to winning ways ahead of what looks a very tough festive period in a few weeks’ time.
Beating West Ham was massive, and there’s a chance to follow that up with a decent result at Brighton.
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Injury-hit Brighton facing Arsenal in the EFL Cup tonight ahead of Leeds United meeting
The Seagulls are in view for United this weekend, but Fabian Hurzeler is having to juggle multiple injury setbacks at the moment.
As they take on Arsenal in the EFL Cup this evening, Hurzeler revealed that former Leeds man James Milner is out with a “small muscle issue”.
James Milner has been denied a reunion with Leeds United thanks to injury. (REUTERS/Chris Radburn)
He becomes the seventh player to be currently ruled out this week through injury. Kaoru Mitoma, Joel Veltman, Jack Hinshelwood, Solly March, Brajan Gruda, and Adam Webster are also sitting out.
All seven won’t be available for Leeds’ trip to the AMEX this Saturday, according to injury expert Ben Dinnery.
Brighton v Leeds: United gain fitness advantage through Seagulls’ midweek EFL Cup clash
When discussing rotation, Hurzeler noted that he would be looking to some of his younger squad players at Arsenal tonight.
“We have to believe and we really trust the young players because they are here for a reason. It is not about age, it is about quality but for sure you need a good balance in the team,” he told the BBC.
On top of having injuries to contend with this week, Brighton aren’t helped in their preparation for Saturday by their visit to the Emirates.
Facing the current best side in the country in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, Brighton’s midweek commitments give them much less time to recover than Leeds.
Leeds played a day earlier than the Seagulls at the weekend too. It gives us eight days’ rest while they have a meagre two days between tonight’s match and matchday.
Farke will be hoping for Noah Okafor and Dan James to be close to full fitness. Meanwhile, we await an update on Willy Gnonto later in the week.
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