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We waited nearly 20 years for Leeds United to get back to the top tier of English football and anticipated their passion, but wondered how stable they would be going forward.
After an explosive beginning under a manager whose cult of personality and preparedness certainly outweighs his desire to reinforce a backline, we’re now closing on two seasons of throwing caution to the wind which has resulted in a run of games which reads six defeats in nine games.
Wednesday 7.45pm: Liverpool v Leeds United
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
Leeds aren’t in immediate danger, but you can’t help but feel they could completely put any potential worries to bed by just tightening the reins ever so slightly.
Just as well they’ve a handy midweek Premier League fixture against Liverpool coming up then…
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Both Teams to Score – No
In games where Liverpool need to win, they become ever so slightly more cautious. Leeds have fired five blanks this season and four of them have been away from Elland Road.
They generally run out of ideas when away from home and with Liverpool almost never surrendering to a press, it seems unlikely that their expansive switches will bring about the desired effect.
I think many people remember their first meeting post-promotion and just default to that, but Liverpool’s midfield are generally disciplined in covering full back positions and that’s no longer as big of an issue. Clean sheet for the Reds here.
Over 3.5 Goals
If you’re still putting two and two together, I’m suggesting Liverpool will hammer Leeds in this game, yes.
If you take a look at their latest outing against Manchester United, it dawned on me that they’re not even capable of defending one-v-one situations anymore and that used to be a strength. Full backs and midfielders were being dribbled past at ease.
If Trent and Robertson get that easy a time out wide, this game will be over by half-time.
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Half-Time: Liverpool
And speaking of games over at half-time, you can chalk this one up and all.
The Reds’ very recent trend of waiting 40 minutes before finding the net has as much to do with the Champions League prep than anything else. Playing Burnley and Norwich doesn’t quite require the same level of intensity from the off, so put that down to picking your battles.
Sadio Mane to Score Two Goals or More
Sadio Mane and Mo Salah are two very different players, but the one distinction I’ll hand to Mane in terms of exceeding his team mate’s ability is his awareness of where to be in the box when the ball is pulled back or across the face of goal.
Mane, once there’s a ball coming into the box, comes alive – and he’s almost always in the right spot. The Senegalese will benefit from being able to tuck inside those pockets while Robertson overlaps and he’ll be on the edge a few times for relatively easy chances.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go watch how Leeds deal with wide players and central players switching positions. Fred and Sancho are wonderful examples.
Liverpool v Leeds tips:
Both teams to score? No
Over 3.5 goals
Half-time: Liverpool
Sadio Mane to score two or more goals
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