Leeds United’s search for their first Premier League win since August will continue on Sunday afternoon when they welcome Fulham to Elland Road.
The Lilywhites continued their slow dive into the relegation zone after suffering a 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Leicester City last time out.
Robin Koch put the ball in his own net before Harvey Barnes sealed the win for Leicester in the first half. For all their attacking vigour, Leeds failed to muster a comeback, and it remains to be seen if Jesse Marsch’s future at the club is still airtight.
Since their 3-0 triumph over Chelsea in August, Leeds have picked up just two points from their subsequent seven league games and are level on points with 18th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Marsch’s side still have to travel to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur before the World Cup, which makes this weekend’s clash with Fulham even more important, as a win will be pivotal in keeping them out of the drop zone.
A win for Leeds over Fulham is feasible despite the contrasting form of both sides, as the Lilywhites have been victorious in their last four meetings. They also did the double over the Cottagers in the 2020/21 campaign.
However, after returning to winning ways with a massive 3-0 triumph over Aston Villa, which ultimately cost Steven Gerrard his job, Marco Silva’s side will be brimming with confidence for their trip to Elland Road.
Fulham’s impressive start to the season has seen them collect 15 points from 11 league games (W4, D3, L4). They are ninth in the league, one point behind Liverpool and five off Champions League places.
Like Leeds, Fulham will face some difficult opposition before November’s showpiece event, but the west Londoners will be full of confidence after losing just two of their last five games (W2, D1).
The Cottagers have shown no desire for a quick return to Championship football and are on course for a top-flight stay for the first time since 2014.
Match Preview
Leeds United
Leeds will need to make it four consecutive wins against the Cottagers for only the first time in history if they want to steer themselves away from the bottom three.
They will also be looking to break their Sunday jinx and avoid losing on their third consecutive Sunday tie since November/ December 2002, having lost their last two against Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
Leeds have conceded the fewest goals on home soil than any other side so far this term (3), so they should have no problem keeping Fulham, who have scored just six times on their travels, at bay.
Fulham
Fulham will be looking to record their first top-flight win at Elland Road after failing in their last five attempts (D3, L2), with their last win in West Yorkshire coming in a Championship fixture in December 2014.
But if their away record is anything to go by, it could be another stern test of character for Silva’s side as the Cottagers have won just one of their last ten away games in the league (D3, L6) and have conceded at least twice in each of their last four on the road.
Fulham’s talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic will almost certainly have a say in the game. He has been involved in six goals in his last six league appearances against Leeds (four goals, two assists), including a brace on his last visit to Elland Road in September 2020.
Leeds United vs Fulham Predicted Line-ups
Leeds United (4-2-3-1): Illan Meslier; Rasmus Kristensen, Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper, Junior Firpo; Tyler Adams, Marc Roca; Jack Harrison, Rodrigo, Luis Sinisterra; Patrick Bamford.
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Bobby Reid, Issa Diop, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Harrison Reed, Joao Palhinha; Neeson Kebano, Andreas Pereira, Willian; Aleksandar Mitrovic.
How to Watch?
Leeds United vs Fulham, alongside all other fixtures in England’s top flight, is available to watch online via live Premier League streams.
Leeds United vs Fulham Prediction
Leeds are desperate for a positive result, as another defeat could plunge them into relegation. But Fulham are flying in the league, so we expect them to continue their meteoric rise up the table with another win.
Leeds United 1-2 Fulham
