England Rugby Union stars Jamie George and Ben Earl have delivered their prediction for the Premier League clash between Brighton and Leeds United.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke has received a welcome boost ahead of his side’s trip to Brighton, as he confirmed that his Leeds squad have a clean bill of health ahead of the fixture.
The Whites are looking to complete back-to-back Premier League wins after they claimed an important 2-1 win over relegation rivals West Ham.
However, Leeds have never won against Brighton in the top-flight and have not won an away game against the Seagulls since 2009 when Jermaine Beckford inspired Leeds to a 3-0 win.
Now, two of England’s rugby stars have delivered their verdict on whether the Whites can end their long run without a win on the south coast.
Daniel Farke during Leeds' draw v Bournemouth.
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Jamie George and Ben Earl deliver Leeds United prediction
Speaking to the Premier League website, England forwards George and Earl took time out of their preparations for the Autumn Nations Series to predict the outcome of Brighton v Leeds.
Unfortunately for Farke and his side, neither player was optimistic about Leeds’ hopes of claiming a much-needed win in their first to stay in the top flight.
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Back-rower Ben Earl backed the Seagulls, although he did back Leeds to end their seven-game run without a goal at the Amex, stating: “I’m going 3-1.”
However, hooker Jamie George was less optimistic about Farke’s side’s chances, backing the home side to keep a clean sheet. George said: “Brighton win that, 2-0.”
With England’s Rugby League stars also in action on Saturday, perhaps the Leeds-based contingent in that squad would have been more positive about the Whites’ chances.
When did Leeds United last win back-to-back Premier League games?
Having opened up a six-point gap on the bottom three with their win over West Ham, Farke will be desperate to leapfrog Brighton in the table with an upset at the Amex.
If Leeds can end their long winless run on the south coast, it will be the first time they have claimed back-to-back wins in the Premier League since November 2022, according to the BBC.
In a positive omen for Leeds, those games came at this time of year, as Crysencio Summerville scored the winner in a dramatic 4-3 win over Bournemouth, having scored the winner at Anfield just days before.
Leeds suffered relegation as Jesse Marsch left midway through the season on that occasion. Leeds have drawn one and lost five of their attempts to win back-to-back games in the top flight since then.