Can Leeds United beat Newcastle United and enter the international break on a positive note? Given the Magpies' current striker shortage and availability issues, it feels the perfect opportunity for the Whites to get back on track after two disappointing performances and results in a row.
Not that Daniel Farke is taking anything for granted. He has reminded his players of the importance of turning Elland Road into a place that opponents fear coming to this season.
“Each point matters and each point has the same value so for that, of course, I liked also that we won the first home game also with a clean sheet and with the top performance gave confidence," said Farke.
“And for a newly promoted side, it is always crucial that you become a fortress at home and win many points at home, but wherever we find the points and we can pick them up and we win them, we take this because in the end we know we need more or less a point average of one per game.
“I know it is a big, big challenge and a long road. We are already on three points, this is quite good, but three points won’t be enough so we have to make sure in each of your home games we fight for the other points, but believe me, we will also do this in the away games.”
Influential midfield duo Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka are sidelined by knee injuries. New arrival Noah Okafor is a major doubt due to a groin problem sustained against Wednesday. There is a strong chance Farke will leave Okafor out of the matchday squad and look to build up the player's fitness and match sharpness over the break.
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Leeds United
Farke is likely to hand a first home start to former Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff. The 27-year-old left St James' Park in the summer after making over 200 apppearances for his boyhood club.
Fellow summer recruits Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, James Justin and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are also in line to make their first appearances at Elland Road.
United squad vs Newcastle: Perri, Darlow, Cairns, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Bijol, Bornauw, Gudmundsson, Byram, Justin, Gruev, Longstaff, Stach, James, Aaronson, Harrison, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin.
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