Leeds United 1 Aston Villa 2: Lee Sobot's YEP video verdict
Leeds United’s fans have had their say on Saturday’s huge next Premier League test at Manchester City.
Leeds United face a monster next Premier League test in Saturday’s clash at Manchester City - but what do the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury have had to say including complete agreement on the predictions front with ‘glimmers of hope’, a Brenden Aaronson suggestion after Daniel Farke’s comments and start Dan James call.
ANDY RHODES
Having lost each of their three games so far in November, it will be a tough ask to stop the run on Saturday afternoon at Manchester City.
A trip to the Etihad is daunting for even the most polished of sides, but when you’re on the kind of run that Leeds currently are, the challenge is all the more difficult.
Unfortunately it’s hard to see past a City win, but that would have been the case regardless of the Whites’ current form.
Goals are hard to come by and the defence is becoming increasingly leaky.
Bayer Leverkusen found a way to beat Pep Guardiola’s side in the week and Leeds would do well to keep that in mind, but every player will have to be at the top of their game if they are to gain even a point.
It’s not like we haven’t won these types of games before.
A Leeds win at Anfield kept Jesse Marsch in his job a couple of years ago.
A win in Manchester would buy Daniel Farke some time.
Prediction: Manchester City 4 Leeds United 0.
DAVID WATKINS
The temptation is to assume that Leeds United will get well and truly walloped when they journey across the Pennines this weekend to face Manchester City.
City sit third in the Premier League table with twice as many points as Leeds and, of course, their reputation alone has often beaten teams before they even kick off.
A slight glimmer of hope is that City have just recorded back-to-back defeats: a 2-1 loss at Newcastle United and a 2-0 home reverse in the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen. Maybe this isn’t the worst time to go to the Etihad.
Another recent City result was their 1-0 defeat at Villa Park at the end of October.
Leeds matched Villa last Sunday, and only succumbed after two sloppy defensive moments.
The problem for Leeds is that such moments have been a regular feature of our recent games, and we know no side can afford to give City gifts, given their goal-scoring power.
If Leeds can get their personnel on the pitch right from the start – and that for me means starting Dan James – and then put in the same performance we saw against Villa, surely we can avoid a thrashing.
Prediction: Manchester City 3 Leeds United 1.
NEIL GREWER
To paraphrase Graham Smyth: “Not quite good enough is not good enough in the Premier League” Graham hit the nail on the head.
This is where Leeds are at right now, so something has to change to see them maintain their Premier League status, but thankfully there are more than enough games to achieve the aim.
However, any change is unlikely to start on Saturday.
City rested most of the first team in Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen so that’s defeats in their last two games and I cannot see that stretching to three.
Brenden Aaronson had been the subject of much debate recently, and I would certainly have favoured Dan James starting against Villa, however the vast majority of Leeds’ goal concessions have been via the left side, supporting Daniel Farke’s argument on Aaronson’s defensive efforts.
As such I expect Aaronson to start this game. Similarly, Jack Harrison may get a recall to add extra defensive stability to the left flank.
So City away is a “free hit” – as it was in the Marcelo Bielsa era when Stuart Dallas stole the show. Here’s hoping for another upet.
Prediction: Manchester City 3 Leeds United 0.
KEITH INGHAM
As I said in my report of the Aston Villa game, something has to be done to stop an alarming drop in performances, especially at Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion and in the second half of the Villa game.
Leeds go to Manchester City on the back of three defeats.
City themselves have lost their last two games, a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle and a 2-0 Champions League home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.
Both sides will want to get a win on Saturday.
A lot was said by Daniel Farke about the treatment on social media of Brendan Aaronson. I’d say that to take the player out of the team for at least a game is the sensible option.
Farke will need to have a rethink in midfield with Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff both missing the game at the Etihad.
I’d like to see Noah Okafor and Dan James on the wings with either Lukas Nmecha or Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading the line.
I cannot see Leeds getting anything out of the game and I just hope it’s not an embarrassing scoreline.
Prediction: Manchester City 3 Leeds United 0.
Failure to pick up any points against Aston Villa at Elland Road will not leave anyone in an upbeat frame of mind for Saturday’s encounter with Manchester City.
Nevertheless, the Whites have to pick themselves up from the floor and put up a fight.
The storm clouds seem to be already gathering for Daniel Farke and it will be a true test of his nerve and character if he can hold things together for the next few games.
Nobody has high expectations for this game but United must show grit and determination, whatever the outcome.
They looked more aggressive against Villa when Dan James came on and the starting XI should show some clues as to the manager's thinking.
It is hard to see beyond a scenario where Brenden Aaronson will work his heart out, win balls and then get muscled into losing them.
Very few chances created and even fewer of them converted into goals.
But please Leeds, show some of the fight you showed against Aston Villa.
Prediction: Manchester City 3 Leeds United 0.
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