Leeds United vs Brighton Saturday April 27th, 2013 - K.O 15:00 - Elland Road ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- please log in to view this image Leeds' final home game of the season sees Gus Poyet bring the Seagulls to Elland Road. Coming off the back of a defeat on the road at Birmingham last Saturday, the Leeds players will be aiming to turn out a performance of the highest standard to cure any doubts Brian McDermott might have about them being in his plans for next season. The game is an otherwise dead rubber for Leeds, while more is at stake for the visitors. Brighton are buoyant at the minute, coming into the game off the back of an impressive 6-1 win at Blackpool last weekend, with Poyet calling on his players to avoid complacency as a result. The Seagulls can secure a playoff place with 3 points, and they are likely to set out to attack from the off. When these teams met at the Amex earlier this season the points were shared in a 2-2 draw, and the fixture typically has a history of goals. Gus won't have pleased the Brighton fans ahead of his visit to Elland Road, with him being quoted as saying his "powerful" relationship with the Leeds fans could lure him back in a managerial capacity in the future. Form Guide (Last 5 games) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Team[/TD] [TD]Form[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Brighton[/TD] [TD]D - X - W - D - W[/TD] [TD="align: center"]9[/TD] [TD="align: center"]2[/TD] [TD="align: center"]9[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds United[/TD] [TD]L - L - W - W - L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]4[/TD] [TD="align: center"]6[/TD] [TD="align: center"]6[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Head to Head (Previous League Games) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD="align: center"]Team[/TD] [TD="align: center"]P[/TD] [TD="align: center"]W[/TD] [TD="align: center"]D[/TD] [TD="align: center"]L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]GD[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds[/TD] [TD="align: center"]35[/TD] [TD="align: center"]15[/TD] [TD="align: center"]11[/TD] [TD="align: center"]9[/TD] [TD="align: center"]78[/TD] [TD="align: center"]60[/TD] [TD="align: center"]+18[/TD] [TD="align: center"]56[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Brighton[/TD] [TD="align: center"]35[/TD] [TD="align: center"]9[/TD] [TD="align: center"]11[/TD] [TD="align: center"]15[/TD] [TD="align: center"]60[/TD] [TD="align: center"]78[/TD] [TD="align: center"]-18[/TD] [TD="align: center"]38[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Early Betting Odds (Correct on 25/4/13) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Leeds Win[/TD] [TD]Draw[/TD] [TD]Brighton Win[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]9/4[/TD] [TD]9/4[/TD] [TD]5/4[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Team News Leeds United Following further surgery on his recurring knee problem, Davide Somma will be unavailable for the rest of this season, with many fans now believing the South African has made his last appearance for Leeds. He would have likely been a substitute for the game, and the open bench spot will be likely be taken by youngster Dominic Poleon or loanee Habib Habibou. Though some experimentation is expected by McDermott promising young midfielder Chris Dawson is unavailable, but Ryan Hall could feature in some capacity, in a bid to prove his worth to his new manager. Club captain Lee Peltier continues his return from injury after making a substitute appearance against Birmingham, and should be fully fit and available for selection. Top Scorers Ross McCormack 7 El-Hadji Diouf 6 Luke Varney 6 Brighton Brighton continue without top scorer Craig Mackail-Smith who is sidelined until the end of the season with an Achilles injury. Better news for Brighton is that striker Ashley Barnes returned from his 7 match referee tripping ban on Saturday in fine style and bagged 2 goals against Blackpool. As the only match fit recognised striker in their squad he will spearhead the attack alongside Orlandi and Buckley, so there will be plenty to keep the Leeds defence occupied. Despite being brought off in the second half against Blackpool keeper Tomasz Kuszczak is expected to start, preventing an appearance for ex-leeds keeper Casper Ankergren. Matthew Upson got his first goal for Brighton at the weekend, but it is his defensive prowess that will pose more of a challenge for the Leeds here. Top Scorers Craig MacKail-Smith 11 Ashley Barnes 9 David Lopez 9 Durham's Prediction I'm going to go for a hopeful 1-1 draw here. We know that Brighton are going to go for it, so hopefully our players keep their motivation up despite the season effectively being over. I think McDermott might just give Poleon a start ahead of Varney or Morison, probably with Morison coming on from the bench as he did against Birmingham. Despite missing a few sitters, I think Varney has done enough in his "new" CF role to convince McDermott he's worth keeping next year. In line with what people have been saying on here the last few days, while I'd love to see some more of the youth get utilised, we've got a responsibility to the teams around the playoffs to play a strong team and go for a result here. Also with it been the last home game, the fans are going to want a good performance anyway. I personally think Hall should be given a start, though I suppose there is a chance that McDermott has seen enough in training to feel he won't be keeping him anyway. With Brighton pushing on and with a strong attack they'll be a good test for our back 4, so I can't see the likes of the Turner twins getting a look in there. Will we see another sub appearance from Habibou, or has it already been decided that his loan won't become permanent? Personally I'd go with this starting XI: Kenny Byram -- Peltier -- Lees -- Warnock Green --- Austin --- Tonge --- Hall McCormack -- Poleon Probable Audio Links for Saturday: ustream-leeds or reecelufc125 on ustream Alright, over to you guys. Let's get some team & score predictions going...
Alright guys, hope you like the match thread. I had a word with Elland the other day and told him I'd happily do them for the last 2 games of the season, and if people like them I'll carry on into next season as well. Cheers
Duirham, I'd be more thab happy to sign you up on a five year deal to do the match threads fella. Absolutely brilliant....
Excellent thread pal Think we may nick this one, although a draw is probably more likely. Watch out for Will Buckley. A proper threat and I think will be playing at a higher level if he can put his injurys behind him going forward!
Cheers guys Bucks, you're right about Buckley, we'll definitely have to watch out for him. They've got a fair threat from midfield as well with the likes of Lopez and LuaLua
Afternoon all. Should be a good game and I hope there's a decent turn out. I'll go for 1-1, but I have a nasty feeling we'll get turned over. Of more concern is the side BMD puts out. I really want to see Hall and Habibou given a chance to show why they should be retained. If not, time to wish them well & say bye bye. Nice thread by the way LiD
Bollocks to our responsibility to the rest of the league. People have this idea about our strongest side but look how ****e they've been, we'd have been better off playing the under 18s at least they'd score goals
Judging by McDermotts pretty frank comments about not just sticking youth players in the team, doesn't look like you'll be getting your wish there Marko. Also means I'll revise my team prediction for tomorrow, swap out Poleon for Morison, but I still think he might give Hall a run
I may have exaggerated. I'm not asking that we stick in all the youth team or anything rash like that, but we should definitely be playing some of the players who are ready for it. Bollocks to "playing a strongest team", I don't see why we can't be putting players like Dominic Poleon in.
I'd like to see Poleon starting, Dawson (but obviously he isn't fit). I assume Thompson and Taylor are still out on loan somewhere, been a while since we've seen them in and around the first team?
Would be wonderful if Poleon started, I just can't see it, especially with the amount of $$$$ spent on Morrison. It will be Morrison and McCORMACK WITH dIOUFF HAVING SOME KIND OF ROLE....
Hope the Leeds fans acknowledge the Brighton players and supporters in their respect for former Brighton and Ireland captain, Tony Grealish who died from cancer earlier this week, aged 53. Nice big lad and good professional.
Leeds boss Brian McDermott wants to fully assess the young talent emerging at Elland Road before throwing them into the first team.
Matchday Morning Update Updated Betting Odds: Leeds Win: 21/10 Draw: 12/5 Brighton Win: 5/4 Leeds Team News Midfielder Rudy Austin has been nursing a knee problem through the week, but is expected to be passed fit for selection, while Adam Drury has a slight back problem. Drury is still expected to be available for selection, but with an expected recall for Lee Peltier and Stephen Warnock in fine form, a start for the experienced full back is unlikely. Brighton Team News Not really anything new to report since the original thread. Kazenga LuaLua is fully fit, and gives Poyet a host of wide attacking players to pick from ahead of today's game.
Thom Kirwin ‏@Thomkirwin22s Brighton team v #LUFC: (4-3-3) Kuszczak; Bruno, Greer, Upson, Painter; Hammond, David, Orlandi; Buckley, Ulloa, Barnes.
