Leeds not yet equals with the 'big six'
The penultimate Premier League match of the weekend on Sunday afternoon sees two mid-table clubs go head to head - Arsenal take on Leeds United at the Emirates, and it is the visitors who are actually ahead of the north London giants by a single point. There is a similar resemblance when it comes down to form, too, with the same difference in points separating what they've accrued in the past six games. However, Mikel Arteta has the advantage of almost a full squad to pick from, and might hold back some of the personnel who are chomping at the bit for a start in order to save them for the resumption of the Europa League. Read our preview here:
Snoring, snoring Arsenal?
Despite the introduction of Emile Smith-Rowe to the first team on a regular basis, the Gunners as a group still lack creativity. Doubtlessly, that was one of the chief reasons behind the loan move for Real Madrid playmaker Martin Ødegaard. The Norwegian international and hitherto wonderkid might have to settle for a place on the bench on Sunday however, leaving the magic to his fellow young teammate. Despite scoring three goals in a couple of recent games, Arsenal still rank very poorly in the overall 'for' column, and worse, the defence has been quite poor once more. Thomas Partey's latest injury is another blow, but the front four are in fine fettle overall. Bukayo Saka continues to grow in importance, Smith-Rowe pulls the strings, and the pairing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette dovetail well, which will make marking them a severe headache for their adversaries, and in turn, potentially break the opportunities Leeds have to press.
Raph on the rise
Many plaudits have naturally gone to Patrick Bamford on his potent return to the Premier League, repaying the immense faith Marcelo Bielsa has placed in him during his tenure at Elland Road. A possible contender for any future player of the season award is Brazilian winger Raphinha, who has been repaying the large fee outlaid for his services in droves in recent matches. Quick, clever on the ball, and with no shortage of end product of both kinds, he has fast become a fan favourite in West Yorkshire/ England international Kalvin Phillips might have to be content with spending the majority of his time as pivot trying to block off passing lanes rather than initiating any attacks of his own. Whilst they will naturally press from Bamford backwards, they might need to find a different way to maintain a foothold on possession and the game itself.
Leeds are not Ayling
A decisive result in this fixture is unlikely to have a big impact on either team in the medium term. Both, barring suddenly gaining the kind of consistency that has thus far eluded them, will have to be content with a final position of roughly where they are now. Such an eventuality would obviously be far better received at Leeds than at Arsenal, even if the latter are yet again in a transitional phase. There are enough wrinkles in their backline to make this encounter a nervy one for the hosts, despite the visitors' abject failure to really mix it up with the modern interpretation of the 'big six'. betway are offering odds of 3.25 for Arsenal to win and both teams to score.
