Leeds United come into this game after a run of positive results over the festive period. Standout results included a win against **Chelsea**and draws with **Liverpool**and Manchester United. They went on a seven game unbeaten run in the Premier League and that has certainly meant that Daniel Farke's side have been starting to look up the table, as opposed to worrying about relegation.
They will know that survival is not guaranteed by any means but will be feeling optimistic at this moment in time. Last week, they progressed to the next round of the **FA Cup**with a 3-1 win against Derby County.
However, in their last league game they were unlucky to lose 4-3 at Newcastle United. The side from West Yorkshire definitely played their part in the game and were in front three times yet suffered defeat after a late, late winner from Harvey Barnes.
It was a defeat that hurt but there would also have been positives to take from it and it was an all-time Premier League classic match.
This week they host Fulham. Marco Silva's side also had a good Christmas as they come into this unbeaten in their last six league games. Before Christmas, they were in a potential relegation battle too and looking over their shoulder yet have climbed as high as 9th in the table.
When the two sides last met in September, it was a 1-0 win for the Cottagers - but it would be fair to say that Leeds have improved a lot since that day and that is something they will be keen to prove. There will be hope amongst fans that they can better their points tally from the first half of the season.
The striker now has nine goals so far this season, and after scoring six goals in December he has been named as the Premier League player for the month. His scoring run was a key part of the side's success and the Englishman deserves a lot of credit for how he kickstarted his Leeds career as before that run, he only had one goal.
The former **Everton**striker has been proving a handful for defenders.
He was able to carry on his 2025 scoring with a goal in the Newcastle defeat and he will be hungry for more goals this weekend.
It is not just goals he brings to the team, it is his movement and Premier League experience. If he could stay fit, which was always going to be the challenge, then the summer signing had the potential to be a great move. It is now proving to be just that, and there has even been talk of a possible call-up to Thomas Tuchel's England squad if he can keep finding the net.
Is there a concern that Leeds are conceding too many?
It has not always been an issue in recent games as they did keep a clean sheet at Anfield. However in the game at Elland Road, they conceded three to Liverpool and also conceded three times at St James' Park. It will not be something that they want to make a habit as it could be argued that they did enough going forward to win the game against the Magpies.
If you are conceding three goals in games then it puts a lot of pressure on the forwards. It is likely that Fulham will fancy themselves scoring against Leeds this week.
They have conceded 37 goals so far this season and that is more than Nottingham Forest, the side who are below them in the table.
How will the rest of the season play out for Leeds?
Despite Fulham being higher up in the table, Leeds fans may see this as a winnable game, and one where they can pick up points. It is likely that their home form could be important and be where they pick up most of their points.
However, Farke deserves a lot of credit for their recent results and it has given them a great chance of avoiding relegation. There is still a lot of football to play, but Forest are optimistic of their survival chances after beating West Ham last time out and they are below Leeds.
Farke's side still have big games to play and the home game against Forest in a few weeks could be a big one. Their next home match against league leaders Arsenal will inevitably be a tough test.
However, they may come into this game with reasons to believe they can get something from it and close the gap to **Bournemouth,**who are above them.
After recent years, to stay up as a newly-promoted side would represent a real success but that could now be a reality.
It could be set to be an interesting game, they will know not to underestimate Fulham as they still have the potential to turn up and win comfortably. Leeds will have to be at their best but they will feel confident of achieving a good outcome.