Leeds United host Newcastle United this evening at Elland Road looking to bounce back from a damaging week of results against Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday.
Daniel Farke has his work cut out to restore the positive mood at Elland Road after a rough week in charge, handed a beating away at Arsenal before a drab showing at Sheffield Wednesday saw United dumped out of the EFL Cup by what was virtually an U21 side.
Up next is another significantly tough test in the form of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, out with a point to prove as they continue to battle through a challenging summer transfer window.
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Will Alexander Isak play for Newcastle United against Leeds United?
The big question this week the Magpies travelling down to West Yorkshire is whether we’re going to see Alexander Isak reintegrated into the squad for this evening.
Isak has obviously gone public with his desire to leave St James’ Park for Liverpool this month after an opening bid was knocked back, while his club are potentially progressing towards him being free to finally leave for Anfield.
(Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge)
That’s because the Magpies are making a signing of their own for big money up front, agreeing a massive £78million fee (contrasting reports on overall sum) for Stuttgart star Nick Woltemade.
The towering German’s arrival reportedly paves the way for Liverpool to pursue Isak in the final days of the window, as Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday that the Reds are preparing another whopping bid for the Swede.
🚨 Liverpool are ready to go all-in and bid again for Alexander Isak, as player’s stance has never changed.
Isak only wants #LFC and if Newcastle decide to open doors after Woltemade (+1 more striker also expected to join), Liverpool are ready.
🎥 https://t.co/H188VkOLWv pic.twitter.com/hIj1GGekXi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 28, 2025
4:15pm announcement could have huge bearing on Leeds United’s chances against Newcastle United
Howe has plenty of headaches to contend with this evening pertaining to his Newcastle lineup, mainly with how he sets up his front three.
Isak’s spot in the starting lineup was taken up by Anthony Gordon against the Reds on Monday night, but a horror tackle from the makeshift forward saw him sent off following a VAR intervention, meaning he won’t be available tonight.
It leaves Howe shifting to a third-choice option up front, and the lineup announcement at 4:15pm should provide a look at Leeds’ chances of hurting a depleted Magpies side, and actually how depleted they’re going to look.
Isak’s omission obviously weakens the away side notably, given he’s one of the best strikers in the world, and having to fitness concerns for Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, and Fabian Schar from Monday plus Gordon’s suspension should give Leeds cause for optimism as well.
“Relatively good news on both players [Tonali and Joelinton], when they left the pitch we feared they may be out long-term,” Howe told the press, via NUFC.
“Joey’s scan was good but he will miss this weekend, we’ll hopefully get him back for the game after the international break. Sandro’s injury isn’t serious, he is battling to be fit for tomorrow. Fabian Schär is available. We followed concussion protocols, he will be fine to play.”
Of course, it’s worth nothing that Newcastle’s squad still boasts enough quality to put most sides to the sword in this league, but without key players and the influence of Elland Road under Farke, it could help swing the fixture more in United’s favour.
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