Leeds United will have to put their Carabao Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday behind them as they prepare to face fellow Premier League side Newcastle United.
Looking at Leeds United’s history against the Magpies, Newcastle are one team the Yorkshire side have always relished playing.
It’s not just the results that show Leeds could pull off a shock, Newcastle could be without four key players on Saturday too.
With all this in mind, an ultimate comeback is exactly what Leeds need right now after a poor run of form.
Leeds United's German head coach Daniel Farke gestures on the touchline during the English League Cup second round football match between Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United.
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Leeds United’s Premier League record against Newcastle United
The recent Premier League meetings between these two sides have been far more favourable to Leeds.
The most memorable of the two Leeds wins was the 5-2 victory at Elland Road in December 2020. After falling behind, Leeds launched a sensational comeback, with goals from Stuart Dallas, Gjanni Alioski, and Jack Harrison who delivered a stunning long-range strike.
Their other victory, a 2-1 win at St. James’ Park in January 2021, was a more frustrating affair but highlighted their resilience. After Raphinha opened the scoring, Leeds conceded an equaliser before Jack Harrison netted the winner just minutes later.
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The three draws were all hard-fought. The September 2021 1-1 draw saw Raphinha score for Leeds and Allan Saint-Maximin equalise for Newcastle. The goalless draw in December 2022 was a frustrating game for Newcastle, who failed to break down a resilient Leeds defence.
Finally, the chaotic 2-2 draw in May 2023 was a frantic end-of-season affair that saw Leeds have a penalty saved and Newcastle awarded two, with Rasmus Kristensen’s deflected shot salvaging a crucial point for Leeds.
Jacob Murphy of Newcastle United battles for possession with Pablo Hernandez of Leeds United.
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A win against Newcastle United is key for Leeds United
After suffering a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal, Jermaine Beckford called it a reality check for the Yorkshire side. Yet, they went on to suffer an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit to Sheffield Wednesday on penalties.
This means their upcoming match against Newcastle United at Elland Road has become an essential litmus test for Leeds United.
A win is not just about three points; it’s about a complete reset of the team’s narrative. The recent setbacks have been a huge blow to morale and have triggered questions about the squad’s ability, with the likes of Gabby Agbonlahor providing his verdict on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
It would also reassure the Elland Road faithful that the Arsenal defeat was a one-off, not a sign of things to come, and that the team can turn this season around.