Leeds to remain unbeaten against the biggest three
Sunday afternoon sees the return fixture of the infamous rivalry between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road. The first game was a one-sided drubbing, with the Red Devils putting the West Yorkshire club to the sword, swatting them aside in a 6-2 demolition. Since then though, Marcelo Bielsa's men have rallied, and currently sit in 10th place, which would be an excellent finish in their first season back in the top tier. Additionally, they have bested leaders Manchester City and held current champions Liverpool in their last two games, showing far more resolve against the 'big six' members. Ole Gunnar Solskjær has made second spot his own, and whilst this game won't affect their outcome, they'll still want to accrue as many points as possible.
The other Llorente
The centre back, signed from Real Sociedad back in September, had to wait until December to make his bow in the white shirt, and it's only really been since February that he's muscled his way into the reckoning. Bielsea's patented high intensity, high press style lends itself not only to fatigue and injuries, but also gaps appearing in the defence. Indeed, Leeds have both scored and conceded a half-century of goals at the time of writing. but the games he's been involved in have seen a marked drop-off of both individual mistakes and the porousness of their backline. Additionally, he headed in the equaliser against Liverpool in midweek, underlining his threat in the opposition penalty area from set pieces. The midfield four are willing runners with plenty of stamina to boot, and should compete extremely well with their numerical advantage in central spaces.
Ever Greenwood
At times, Mason Greenwood has been relied upon too much by his club to perform week in, week out, with a paucity of other options. Edinson Cavani cannot be relied upon to feature in two games in a week; Marcus Rashford is far more at home on the left side of the attacking trio behind the main striker; Anthony Martial has flitted in and out with his form and long, storied injury record. Solskjær will doubtlessly be on the hunt for additional support during the summer, but will have taken heart from the youngster's brace against Burnley last week. taking his tally to nine in all competitions. Against Leeds, he'll probably be deployed on the right, and could profit from North Macedonian left-back Ezgjan Alioski's tendency to have a momentary lapse of concentration once or twice a game. Still only 19, the forward has plenty to contribute now, let alone in the future.
Leeds vs Greeds
The sub-heading above was dubbed by Sky Sports pundit in the run-up to Leeds' Monday night clash with Liverpool, directly referencing the signing of a deal to participate in a European Super League. Whilst the English clubs have since rowed back on that in the face of venomous opposition from almost all 'stakeholders', it will only serve to add further fuel to a match between two clubs who already have plenty of vitriol towards each other. On the pitch, Bielsea's charges have proven they can mix it with the 'big six', and there's little reason to suggest a repeat isn't on the cards on Sunday. To that end, bet365 have surprisingly long odds of 4.00 for a draw.
