please log in to view this image Leeds Utd v Southampton Saturday 2nd April@15:00 | Elland Road Southampton make the arduous journey up the A1M to Elland Road on Saturday afternoon as Ralph Hasenhüttl's team look to get back to winning ways against Jesse Marsch's Leeds Utd. The Saints started 2022 in fine form, recording 4 wins, 2 draws and one defeat. They also progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, beating Swansea, Coventry and West Ham. Unfortunately, they have had a March to forget. Apart from getting knocked out of the Cup by Citeh, successive defeats against Villa, Newcastle and Watford have seen the South Coast outfit fall within six points of the Whites. During Jesse Marsch's first month at Leeds, they have won twice, and lost twice. Importantly, they find themselves seven points clear of the drop zone, though all those below them have games in hand. Coming from two - nil down to beat Wolves will have given the Leeds players a boost that they will need, if they are going to record their third victory in a row for the first time this season. Leeds will be without Patrick Bamford (foot), Junior Firpo (knee), Tyler Roberts (hamstring), Leo Hjelde (knee) and await news on whether Raphinha and Robin Koch have recovered from Covid. Raphinha missed the trip to Wolves, but was spotted midweek at Thorp Arch, whilst Koch was turned away from the German camp after contracting the killer disease. Stuart Dallas (groin) could be set for a spell on the sidelines. The versatile all-rounder was injured during Northern Ireland’s 3-1 win over Luxembourg, though he returned to action on Tuesday evening as a second half substitute against Hungary. There's better news for long term absentee's Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips. Both have been training hard during the International break, and should be available for selection. Illan Meslier has recovered from the bruising encounter with Raul Jiminez, and looks set to start between the sticks. Brazilian centre back Lyanco (Hamstring) and former Leeds loanee goalkeeper Alex McCarthy will miss the same with their respective injuries.
This is for me the most important match of the season by far. This weekends fixture list throws all the relegation contenders against tougher opposition. Leeds V Saints could prove to be easiest game for teams at the bottom. A win for Leeds could move us above Newcastle and Brentford as well as giving us a 10 point margin above the drop zone. In short this match could give us safety as Burnley would need to win 3 games whilst we dont pick up any points. Always said 32 points could be safety but to achieve that and still have another 7 games is not a bad result for a very underwhelming season.
Keep ward-prowse at arms length by not giving stupid free kicks away within range,let Adams know who's boss early doors and with the saints recently being off colour we can put more distance between the trap door and relative safety, put joffy on with half hour to go to hassle their back line and I'm expecting nothing less than our recent upturn continuing....send the saints to hell
As Billystatue would say this is definitely a 6 pinter. Going to need all of those to calm the nerves and after the dramatic final moments against Wolves & Norwich who knows what will happen. As always a point is never a bad result but it’s another absolutely massive game with there being only 4 more realistically winnable fixtures after this one.
Oh and Dallas came on for the last half an hour last night for NI v Hungary so hopefully that means he’s ok
We've somehow managed to claw our way clear of the relegation zone and the season is now at a junction. At this point in the season it's all about pressure. If we win on Saturday, that should give us breathing space and a little room to relax. When players are relaxed it's so much easier to pick passes and make solid decisions. If we lose on Saturday, little doubts will start to creep in and the players might just start to struggle with form again as the pressure ramps up. As daft as it seems, the Southampton game is actually a make or break moment for the remainder of the season.
As I said in a earlier thread this game and the upcoming Watford game are our season. win these two and we stay up. Take 4 points with 3 being from the Watford game we are still in the driving seat. We have to throw everything at these two games and 35 points come the end of them we will see the light for sure.
Just checked how we lined up last season against the Saints (h) and it was Llorente, Cooper & Struijk at the back. If you remember we were probably second best 1st half before running out comfortable 3-0 winners. With that in mind it will be fascinating to see how Marsch approaches the game tactically.
It will be interesting to see if any of the other Leeds players have caught Covid. If Raphinha and Koch had it, perhaps others have it too, and the club are keeping quiet.
I also said something similar on an earlier thread… the next 2 games are pivotal. For me, 4 points from them and we’re as good as safe. I don’t care how they come… it’s more important not to lose at Watford than to win. After the Watford game we have some tough fixtures whilst those below us face each other in a series of 6 pointers. If we don’t extend the gap now it will close up and make it very squeaky bum time come the last few games.
To free up some hospital beds for those that have chosen not to. Still banging the same drum I see, anyway stay lucky punk.
