Preview: Leeds vs Newcastle – Prediction, Team News, Line-ups

Leeds will entertain Newcastle in the Saturday team-time kick-off at Elland Road with both teams nursing wounds.

For the home side, the damage is primarily psychological. Last Saturday’s five-goal Premier League mauling at Arsenal was followed in midweek by a Carabao Cup exit to Championship strugglers Sheffield United in which Leeds achieved the dubious distinction of failing to convert a single penalty in the climactic shootout.

But while Daniel Farke, the Leeds manager, will have his work cut out if he is to lift the spirits of a beleaguered dressing room, Newcastle are hardly in much better shape after Monday night’s bruising 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.

Anthony Gordon’s first-half dismissal for a reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk means Eddie Howe will be unable to call on the suspended midfielder, who has shouldered the attacking burden amid the ongoing absence of the disaffected front man Alexander Isak. Key defender Fabian Schar, who left the pitch with a possible concussion, could be out until after the international break, while the severity of injuries to Joelinton (groin) and Sandro Tonali (shoulder) remains to be seen.

Amid an abundance of shared mental and physical scars, the outcome of the match is hard to predict. What sort of team will Howe be able to cobble together as Newcastle, who drew at Aston Villa on the opening weekend, seek a first league win of the camaign? Will Leeds be lifted by a return to Elland Road, where they got the better of Everton in their season opener?

Recent history favours the home side, who have been beaten just once in their past six Premier League meetings with Newcastle. It’s also worth mentioning that Farke holds the upper hand in the battle of managerial wits, having faced Howe four times without tasting defeat. 

That said, Howe’s side have won their past eight games against promoted sides – and showed character in abundance against Liverpool. A draw would be no surprise.

Leeds vs Newcastle team news

With Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu both injured, Farke has acknowledged that things are “a bit thin” in midfield, hinting that Leeds could set up differently. 

For Newcastle, Gordon is suspended while Schar, Tonali and Joelinton are all doubts. Isak is unlikely to figure despite being called up by Sweden for the forthcoming international fixtures.

Leeds vs Newcastle predicted lineups

Leeds United: Lucas Perri; Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Gabriel Gudmundsson; Anton Stach, Ilia Gruev, Sean Longstaff; Daniel James, Joël Piroe, Wilfried Gnonto.

Newcastle United: Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento; Bruno Guimarães, Joe Willock, Jacob Ramsey; Anthony Elanga, William Osula, Harvey Barnes.