Preview: Fulham vs Leeds United | OneFootball

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·19 March 2021

Preview: Fulham vs Leeds United

Article image:Preview: Fulham vs Leeds United

A look ahead to Friday night's clash.

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side travel to London on Friday evening to take on Fulham, in the Premier League (8pm).


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A thrilling encounter in September saw the Whites defeat the Cottagers 4-3 at Elland Road, in a pulsating match which marked the club’s return to Premier League football on home turf.

Since that match, the two teams have had different campaigns to one another. Friday’s clash will give Fulham the opportunity to move out of the relegation places with a win, having spent much of the season so far in the danger zone.

Leeds will be looking to add another three points to their tally and regain ground on the top half, with Arsenal currently occupying 10th spot and having a four point lead over Bielsa’s side.

Scott Parker’s side have shown a resurgence since the turn of the year. Having struggled to adapt to life back in the Premier League following their promotion - alongside the Whites - last season from the Championship, they have now caught up to the teams above them.

Just three losses in their last 11 matches has contributed to a rise in recent points, which has seen Parker’s side give themselves a real chance of remaining in the division. Three points on Friday would take them above Newcastle United into 17th, and level on points with 16th placed Brighton.

Last time out against Chelsea was only the third time this season Leeds have drawn. All three have been at Elland Road, with only wins and losses coming away. The trip to London to face Fulham gives another chance to secure a victory in the capital for the first time since December 2017.

The goalless draw last weekend meant that Illan Meslier claimed his ninth clean sheet of the campaign. He needs just one more to become the youngest ever goalkeeper to keep 10 in a Premier League campaign.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid is the leading goalscorer for Fulham, with five. Ademola Lookman is just behind with four and the tricky winger also tops the assist charts for his side. Other threats with goals to their name are well known, in the shape of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ivan Cavaleiro.


Manager/head coach

Fulham: Scott Parker

Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa


League position

Fulham: 18th

Leeds: 12th


Premier League form

Fulham: WDLWL

Leeds: LWLLD


Premier League top scorer

Fulham: Bobby De Cordova-Reid (5)

Leeds: Patrick Bamford (13)


Head to head

Fulham: 19

Draws: 15

Leeds: 24


Last time at Craven Cottage

Saturday 21st December, 2019

Championship

Fulham 2 (Mitrovic 7’ pen, Onomah 69’)

Leeds United 1 (Bamford 54’)


Team news

Missing for Fulham will be Tom Cairney and Marek Rodak, neither of which are new injuries for the hosts to contend with. Top-scorer Bobby De Docrdova-Reid is also a doubt for the fixture.

Patrick Bamford should be available for Friday’s match, after coming off injured against Chelsea last weekend. Rodrigo is another slight doubt after getting a knock in training, whilst Liam Cooper will certainly not be making the trip to West London.


Officials

Referee - David Coote

Assistant Referee 1 - Dan Cook

Assistant Referee 2 - Nick Hopton

Fourth Official - Darren England

Video Assistant Referee - Craig Pawson


The key battle

Aleksandar Mitrovic vs Diego Llorente

Fulham’s Serbian forward is usually heavily involved in this fixture. The 26-year-old scored in his side’s win the last time the two teams met at Craven Cottage, and also found the net at Elland Road in September.

His physical presence and style will give Llorente problem’s and things to think about, but the Spanish international has experience and has dealt with numerous different types of forward in his career. If both selected, it will certainly be a battle to watch.


Latest odds

Fulham: 11/8

Draw: 12/5

Leeds: 19/10


How to watch

The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports, with live commentary on LUTV.

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