Fresh from their EFL Cup second-round exit in midweek, Leeds United will hope to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they play host to Newcastle United at Elland Road on Saturday evening.
The two teams square off the first time since May 2023 when Eddie Howe’s side were held to a 2-2 top-flight draw in West Yorkshire.
Match preview
Lukas Nmecha of Leeds United celebrates scoring on August 18, 2025
After beginning life back in the top flight with a 1-0 win over Everton in front of a rocking Elland Road crowd, last season’s Championship title winners Leeds have had less to cheer about across their last two matches, which have ended in defeat.
The Whites were brought back down to earth when they suffered a heavy 5-0 loss at Arsenal last weekend, before crashing out of the EFL Cup on Tuesday at the hands of Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday, who secured a 3-0 penalty-shootout win following a 1-1 draw in normal time, despite fielding an inexperienced side.
Daniel Farke was left “hurt” and “embarrassed” when he came away from Hillsborough and the Leeds boss rued his team’s lack of potency in the final third, as they scored just one goal from their 25 shots throughout the 90 minutes.
Seeking to swiftly move on from their midweek defeat, Leeds will welcome a return to Elland Road where they are unbeaten in their last 21 home league matches (W18 D3) - their joint best run under current boss Farke. The Whites last enjoyed a longer unbeaten home run in the top-two tiers between May 1991 and November 1992 (31).
Leeds boast a decent record against Newcastle, as they have lost just one of their last six Premier League encounters (W2 D3), losing 1-0 at home in January 2022, while the Magpies are also one of just two teams that Farke has faced more than once in the top flight without losing (W1 D1), along with Bournemouth (W1 D1).
The Cherries were managed by current Newcastle boss Eddie Howe in those two matches in the 2019-20 season, making him one of only two managers that Farke has faced twice and not lost against, along with Steve Bruce.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe on August 3, 2025
After failing to take advantage of an extra man in their goalless stalemate with Aston Villa on the opening weekend, Newcastle looked on course to claim another solitary point from their eagerly-anticipated showdown with reigning champions Liverpool on Monday night.
In front of a red-hot atmosphere at St James’ Park amid Liverpool’s drawn-out pursuit of wantaway Magpies striker Alexander Isak, the hosts had Anthony Gordon sent off in first-half stoppage time before going two goals down inside 20 seconds of the restart, but they admirably rose off the canvas to restore parity, only for 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha to score a dramatic 100th-minute winner for the Reds.
After a “bruising game” filled with “so many different emotions”, Eddie Howe was proud of his team’s performance and he will hope to see the same level of energy and intensity from his players on Saturday, as Newcastle endeavour to avoid going three Premier League games without a win.
Still in pursuit of at least one new centre-forward before the transfer window closes next Monday, Newcastle will fancy their chances of success against Leeds as they have won 50% of their Premier League trips to Elland Road (7 out of 14), their highest win rate against any team they have faced at least 10 times on the road.
The Magpies have also won their last eight Premier League meetings with promoted teams, scoring at least three goals in seven of those victories; they last had a longer run between December 1994 and October 1996 (nine).
Leeds United Premier League form:
W L
Leeds United form (all competitions):
W L L
Newcastle United Premier League form:
D L
Newcastle United form (all competitions):
D L
Team News
Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon on August 3, 2025
Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon on August 3, 2025
Leeds midfielders Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka are both ruled out until after the international break with knee injuries, while summer signing Noah Okafor will be assessed ahead of kickoff after sustaining a groin issue on Wednesday.
In the absence of Ampadu and Tanaka, Sean Longstaff may be handed his first league start since joining from boyhood club Newcastle earlier this summer. Fellow new arrival Anton Stach - who has created more chances (seven) than any other PL player so far this season - could join him in midfield along with Ilia Gruev.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin played for half an hour before missing a penalty in the shootout against Sheffield Wednesday. The former Everton striker could be fit to make his full debut up front, but Farke may instead opt to select either Joel Piroe or Lukas Nmecha as his central striker.
As for Newcastle, Isak remains unavailable for selection and Anthony Gordon will serve a three-match suspension following his straight red card against Liverpool.
Fabian Schar (concussion), Joelinton (groin) and Sandro Tonali (shoulder) were all forced off with issues in the defeat to Liverpool and are unlikely to be involved on Saturday.
Summer signings Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey could therefore be handed their full debuts in defence and midfield respectively, while Will Osula is pushing to start up front at the expense of Gordon after coming off the bench to score a late equaliser on Monday.
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Perri; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Stach, Gruev, Longstaff; James, Piroe, Gnonto
Newcastle United possible starting lineup: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Livramento; Miley, Guimaraes, Ramsey; Elanga, Osula, Barnes
We say: Leeds United 1-2 Newcastle United
Leeds will always back themselves in front of the Elland Road faithful and will hope to take advantage of Newcastle potentially missing a number of key players. However, the Magpies are still capable of fielding a strong lineup that should have enough quality to get the better of the Whites.
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