Leeds Utd v Wolverhampton Wanderers

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Leeds Utd v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Monday 19th [email protected]| Elland Road

Wolves are the visitors to Elland Road on Monday following the two week International break during which the Whites have lost two players to injury.

Liam Cooper (Scotland) and Diego Llorente (Spain) both picked up groin strains which will keep them on the sidelines (a further) three and two weeks respectively. It remains to be seen whether Pascal Struijk will get drafted in to partner Robin Koch at the heart of the Leeds defence. Another alternative include moving Ayling to centre back with either Dallas or Shackleton occupying the number 2 position.

Leeds currently occupy 8th place in the Premiership, with 2 wins a draw and a defeat on the opening day of the season against Championship Liverpool. The Whites would love to collect another 3 points making it 10 from 15, but will need to overcome Wolves. Nuno Espirito Santo's side sit 5 places below Leeds with 2 victories and two defeats

Veteran midfielder Pablo Hernandez has recovered from injury, and will return to the squad. It is unclear whether the 35yo will be in the starting line up, or have to wait for his opportunity from the bench.

Are Hernandez' opportunities going to be limited this season? Does he have more of an impact coming on, with 30 minutes left?

Marcelo Bielsa has given a strong hint that new signing Raphinha will be in the squad on Monday when quizzed earlier.

“I think so,” “It’s difficult to say three days from the game because many things can happen, but if it was today he would be in the group. His adaptation has been very quick, instant. For this, I thank Victor Orta for a player who can adapt very easily to our style of play.”

Is the Brazilian being lined up as Hernandez' replacement? Leeds don't really need another out and out winger. Perhaps the versatile 23yo can be the first player since Saiz to make a difference playing the number 10 role?

 

Stuijk for me rather than Ayling.

Wouldn't risk Cooper with Llorente being out for 3-4 games.

Can only see pablo on the bench and not used unless it's a total necessity

 

Play Struijk. He has looked every bit a first team player for the 23's when I have seen him. Everything is 100 mph and the ball is ricocheting all over and it just looks so calm when Struijk gets the ball. That's a sign of a player playing a level well beneath what he is capable of.

Personally I would rest Pablo to start with and bring him on for Rodrigo after an hour when he is goosed.

 

Hurrah at last ee can say there is a game this week. Villa play today then we have them friday. So something to look forward to very limited to entertainment due to covid restrictions.

 

Wolves season started a few weeks before ourselves with the Europa League so you would imagine they might be that little bit fitter and sharper. Wolves are beating the same quality teams as us in Sheffield and Fulham who are both rooted to the bottom of the table. This is a game that I'd really like us to win, I see it as quite important if we want to finish mid table or above. I'm going for a 2-0 Leeds win, we haven't kept a clean sheet yet, let's change that tomorrow

 

Expecting Wolves to bomb us on set pieces. They play a great brand of football and are set up to defend well, keep the ball and counter attack. They have the big Mexican striker who will keep Koch and Struijk busy with quality balls coming in from the likes of Nevez. Dangerous game this for us

 

Clean sheet against the blades wasn't it?

 

Well be in top four after tomorrow

 

Good job you don't look at the table then until 10 matches played

 

I do but put no importance on it. Imagine villa being top six by end of season or Everton tops

 

So Fulham and WBA have nothing to worry about as it's early days yet ?

Would be happy with a draw tomorrow as it would keep the good run going.

 

They need to worry alright but could still make mid table. Doubt it’ll happen mind you

 

Palace v Brighton. Dreadful game.

 

We have not played and are doing alright.

 

Yep, all the draws keeping clubs away from us. Tough game tomorrow though.

 

Yes but we could be in the top four with a win.

 

Will be nice but too early to mean anything.

 

Halfway to ten?

 

10-15 is the gauge for me.

 

If the scores tonight stay as they are now, we would go into 2nd place if we beat Wolves.

Quite extraordinary.