‘I fancy them’ – Paul Merson predicts Leeds vs Manchester United result
Paul Merson has made his Sportskeeda prediction for Leeds United’s next Premier League game against Manchester United, but admitted it could’ve been different but for injuries.
The Whites take on their rivals in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon having been thumped 5-1 on the opening day of the season.
This season they have battled hard with injury problems and currently sit in 15th place in the Premier League and defeat to Everton last week saw them slip to within six points of the relegation zone.
United haven’t been in great form themselves and Merson told Sportskeeda that if Leeds had a fully fit squad he’d probably fancy them to get a result, but because of their injuries he thinks Man United will claim a 3-1 win.
“This is a massive game. Manchester United have done well against Leeds United since their return to the Premier League and I fancy them to get a positive result once again.
“If Leeds had all their players fit, I would’ve probably fancied them, but it has to be said that the way they play suits Manchester United.
“There will be goals in this one, so I’m going for a 3-1 win for Manchester United.”
Familiar problem
What Merson is talking about has become a familiar problem for the Elland Road club this season, with injuries and poor form causing massive underperformance from the squad.
Leeds are likely to be without up to five first-team players for the game on Sunday and while the crowd will no doubt be backing them against a fierce rival, it may not be enough.
We all know what we get when Leeds play football under Bielsa. High energy, high intensity and a determination to give 100 percent no matter what, but without their strongest team the quality of that football drops significantly.
Add to that the problems that the team have had scoring goals this season with only 27 scored in 23 games so far and clean sheets hard to come by, it’s hard to see how they can get a win.
Leeds fans will be hopeful he’s wrong, but Merson isn’t expecting a good day on Sunday for the Whites.
In other Leeds news, Victor Orta is a ‘huge fan’ of Leeds candidate to replace Marcelo Bielsa this summer – journo