please log in to view this image Leeds United v Portsmouth Saturday 10th August@12:30 | Elland Road Leeds kick-off their 24/25 Championship campaign with the visit of newly promoted Portsmouth, after twelve years in the lower league wilderness. There'll be no excuses this time around for Daniel Farke, who, with a full year under his belt, will be expected to deliver automatic promotion or face the ultimate consequence. During this time, he's chopped away at the squad, relieving the club of over half their players! In have come Joe Rothwell (on loan) Jayden Bogle and Alex Cairns, whilst Joe Rodon has re-joined the Whites, albeit permanently. Brenden Arronson and Max Wober return to Elland Road twelve months after deserting their club. They'll have to work hard to earn their place back! We've seen casualties too; most noticeably Cree Summerville, Archie Gray and Glen Kamara. It's fair to say Farke has better strength in depth compared to last season. He will need to utilise his substitutions better this season if Leeds stand a chance of automatic promotion. please log in to view this image Farke has no new injury concerns to worry about. Patrick Bamford is back to first team training, and should make the bench against Portsmouth, with Joseph expecting to lead the line. Jaiden Bogle, who limped off during Leeds 2-1 victory over Valencia has shaken off his dead leg and should start. Portsmouth have had a busy Summer preparing for life back in the Championship, and have bought in a host of new faces including veteran full-back/winger Matt Ritchie, who returns to the club where it all began as an 8yo! The last time these two teams met (Feb 2012), Neil Warnock had just replaced Simon Grayson at the helm and Ken Bates was our owner. Twelve years on, Leeds are undoubtedly in a better place; only time will tell whether (come May) they can reach their ultimate goal!
Nice easy start for us, points on the board, clean sheet and healthy goal difference, I’m going for 5-0 Anything less than 3-0 Farke needs to watch out
Sorry Ristac, you are going to be disappointed as AI says that the score line will be either Leeds 3 Portsmouth 1 or Leeds 2 Portsmouth 0
Promoted clubs are tough to play against 1st game. Although they are often inferior skill wise, they tend to be full of confidence on the back of a promotion winning season. I think it might be more of a grind than it should be but we should be coming out of the game with 3 points and by a couple of goals. 3-1 Leeds.
Saw them a couple of times last season and they looked well organised both times, did seem over reliant on the pace of one lad up front when attacking, a bit like us with Summerville but I believe he's out injured for this one. Think it will be tighter than most think, so an early goal for us would be nice. Have Pompey and QPR down as the dark horses this season. Hard earned 2-0 win.
Mate’s a Charlton fan, he watched them roll Portsmouth over last weekend. We compared that with us roasting Valencia. Concluded a likely Portsmouth win this weekend.
Colby Bishop their player of the season 20 goals last season, 24 the season before is out, heart surgery when a routine medical picked up a problem last week
I don't know, have we improved the squad from the disastrous end to last season ? Watched a lot of the friendlies and the real chances were created by Rutter alone. He has an off match or gets injured I think we'll be back to a struggle. 2-1 on this one.
I’m nervous about this one, not necessarily because of the opposition - just unsure about how we’re gonna go. l also worry about our season long ability against the parked bus. Think defensively we’ll do ok, just not sure we’ll win many when teams set up to defend in depth. Think we’ll sneak it 2mrw 2-1.
Given how we struggled last season against the park the bus teams, Im very interested to see how we handle Saturdays game if they choose to adopt that approach. Things like, have we a threat from corners, set pieces etc because there was lots of room for improvement in those areas. Im even hoping a few of our midgets might have grown a few inches over the summer but I might be expecting a little much
Farke " no injuries, everyone available for this game" Rob Price, no longer here, coincidence? After all he passed JKA fit for purpose
Looking forward to welcoming the South's finest club? Tried to get tickets but they didn't make it general sale. Such is life as a Portsmouth fan Fyi if you're wondering why my name has Saint in it, I changed my name for a joke a while back and I can't find the functionality to change it back. Think they removed it.
