Leeds United vs Fulham
English Premier League
Date: Saturday, 19 September 2020
Kick-off at 15:00 UK/ 16:00 CET
Venue: Elland Road.
Match preview
There is a lot made of a champion vs. champion showdown on the opening weekend, and did not disappoint as Liverpool and Leeds played an opponent very early and very strong for a game this season.
This speaks volumes as much buzz surrounded the pre-match Championship winner last season as happened last season's Premier League winners, and the rest of the league was definitely puts wary after watching side stand toe to toe with Liverpool Bielsa.
Of course, not every game will be like a festival to flow freely and fearless attacking football - or exhibitions such as how not to defend - but Leeds would take great confidence from how close they ran the team that blew away the rest of the league last season.
In the end, though, they were left with no points on the board after matchday one, and the much-changed also dumped out of the EFL Cup on penalties at home to Yorkshire rivals Hull City on Wednesday night.
It is two defeats from two in all competitions since the long-awaited return them to the top, then, which means that Saturday's game against fellow promoted side is all the more important to get off the mark.
Fulham will be aware of exactly what to expect against Leeds - Liverpool are probably not - after facing them twice in last season's Championship, although the most of them are suitable fixture which they lost 3-0.
It was also the scoreline in the first game behind Fulham in the Premier League when they were eliminated by Arsenal in the opening match of the new campaign last weekend.
Scott Parker will be hoping to test a bit easier to come by Leeds and Aston Villa in their next two games, and they at least their first win of the campaign in EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
A 1-0 win at Ipswich Town saw them book a third-round meeting with Sheffield Wednesday next week, while perhaps equally important Star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic saw get off the mark for the season.
The Cottagers are likely to require Serbia international will shoot again on Saturday, having scored just 24 goals in 23 Championship away games last season - a record very worrying given Leeds conceded a league-low 14 times at Elland Road in 2019-20.
EXPECTED LINE-UPS
Leeds (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas; Phillips; Costa, Klich, Hernandez, Harrison; Bamford.
Fulham (4-2-3-1): areola; Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan; Reed, Cairney; Kebano, DeCordova-Reid, Cavaleiro; Mitrovic.
Leeds vs Fulham Prediction
Bielsa's men lost 4-3 at Anfield last-day match against Liverpool. In one of the most entertaining game of the weekend, the newly promoted club to give the defending champions run for their money.
Meanwhile, the Cottagers lost 0-3 at home to last week's game against Arsenal.
As things stand, the peacocks have the upper hand. They are the current holders of the title of the championship, from which both teams come in and they have won the crown with a ten-point advantage at the top.
They also are on the significance of the dominant side attack, which was on full display against Liverpool.
In addition, men Scott Parker had lost 3-0 last time the two met, and it was only two months back. In addition, the Cottagers have lower h2h record for years against this opponent, and especially so in this place.
Chances are, expect in the form Leeds to record his first victory in the OT in more than 16 years, this Saturday.
Leeds vs Fulham: Betting Tips
Leeds to Win @ 1.60 (3/5)
Score in First Half: Leeds @ 1.75 (3/4).
