The Leeds United Newcastle build-up comes with a warning attached: the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Leeds United jury believes the Magpies arrive at Elland Road on Monday night perfectly equipped to punish another sloppy evening from Daniel Farke’s side.
‘Lethal on the break’
Daniel Farke’s side remain unbeaten in the Premier League with five points from nine, having beaten Nottingham Forest and drawn with Brentford and Brighton. Newcastle, now managed by Matthias Jaissle, carry an identical record and sit above the Whites on goal difference.
The concern among the fan panel is what the visitors will have taken from Wednesday’s chaotic 6-3 Carabao Cup defeat at Chelsea, when a 2-0 lead disappeared inside a 12-minute second-half collapse.
“From what I have seen, Newcastle have been lethal on the break,” juror Neil Grewer told the YEP. “They will have studied the Leeds concessions against Chelsea and doubtless spotted areas of weakness, although they lack a Cole Palmer to exploit as easily.”
The expected Leeds shape
Grewer anticipates Farke sticking with the back three used at Stamford Bridge, with Tarik Muharemovic on the left, James Justin covering for the injured Joe Rodon on the right and Jaka Bijol in the middle. Anton Stach is expected to partner captain Ethan Ampadu, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading the line and Noah Okafor pushing for one of the supporting roles.
Newcastle have their own worries: the YEP reports £30m summer signing Amar Dedic is a major doubt. Kick-off time at Elland Road has not been confirmed by the club.
More on the visitors in our Newcastle team news round-up.
