Gary Neville (Credit: Imago)
Elland Road has been a fortress for Leeds United at times this season, with the Whites’ home form being a large reason as to why they sit 15th in the Premier League, four points clear of the drop zone.
Daniel Farke’s men have produced memorable performances this season against the likes of Chelsea and Crystal Palace, with the hostile atmosphere in West Yorkshire playing a massive part in the performances we saw from both teams on the pitch.
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Particularly when Leeds have played under the floodlights this season, Elland Road has gained much admiration from opposing managers and supporters alike.
However, Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney could not be more wrong in their latest decision to brutally snub one of English football’s most iconic grounds.
Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney leave Elland Road off notable list
Both Neville and Rooney, as well as Roy Keane and Ian Wright, overlooked Leeds legend Tony Yeboah when discussing the greatest Premier League goals of all time on the most recent episode of The Overlap.
On the same episode of the podcast, the panel were also debating what the top three stadiums were in Premier League history, with the pair of former Manchester United players quick to overlook Elland Road.
Despite it being one of the nominations, Elland Road was not even considered by Rooney or Neville.
“Number one is Tottenham’s new stadium, it has to be, it’s amazing!” Rooney said.
“I’m fighting for Villa Park, I love Villa Park,” Neville said before listing his personal top three Premier League stadiums.
“Anfield would be in the top three, I think Old Trafford and I’d go Villa Park, but I love Highbury as well.”
Keane and Wright both brought up Highbury and Hillsborough when asked about their personal favourites, but for some baffling reason, Elland Road was ignored by the entire panel despite the ground generating the best atmosphere in English football.
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Elland Road form will likely decide Leeds’ Premier League status
Although it may have been overlooked by some notable pundits, those who attend regularly appreciate how special a stadium Elland Road truly is.
In fact, United’s form at home between now and the end of May will likely determine what division they will play in next season.
Out of Leeds’ seven remaining Premier League fixtures, three of them are at Elland Road
Two of the three are against Wolves and Burnley, two sides below United in the table
According to Opta’s supercomputer, Leeds have a 6.52% chance of being relegated, but this number will only decrease further if they manage to pick up six points from those two games
Out of the 33 points Leeds have amassed this season, 23 of them have come whilst at Elland Road, and Farke’s side will need the crowd to be at its most hostile from now until the end of the season to give the Whites the best possible chance of staying up.
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