Leeds United v Plymouth Argyle preview: Team news, head-to-head, where to watch, prediction
Leeds United host Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road on Saturday (2 November) as Daniel Farke looks to return to winning ways in the Championship.
The Whites walked away from Ashton Gate last weekend disappointed to leave with a share of the spoils in a 0-0 draw, as two vital points were dropped in the race for automatic promotion.
Preview
Farke should fancy his side to record a comprehensive victory at Elland Road against a Plymouth side struggling towards the bottom end of the Championship table.
Wayne Rooney’s men are lingering one point above Luton Town in the relegation zone after a three-match winless run, including a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Cardiff City.
Leeds on the other hand are still on course at the top end of the Championship, level on points with Burnley in third place, and will be looking to close the five-point gap to leaders Sunderland.
The odds are certainly in the Whites’ favour heading into the match. Plymouth have won just once in their last 20 visits to Elland Road, and with Dan James and Manor Solomon now back in the first-team frame, anything less than three points would be a resounding failure for Farke.
Leeds struggled to find their rhythm at Ashton Gate last weekend but the plethora of attacking talent on display at Elland Road should pile further misery on former Manchester United man Rooney – his Plymouth side set to fight it out at the bottom of the table this year to secure their second-tier status.
Form Guide [Championship]
Leeds United: DWWDD
Plymouth Argyle: DLDWL
Head-to-Head [all competitions]
Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Leeds United [17 February 2024]
Plymouth Argyle 1-4 Leeds United [6 February 2024]
Leeds United 1-1 Plymouth Argyle [27 January 2024]
Leeds United 2-1 Plymouth Argyle [11 November 2023]
Leeds United 2-1 Plymouth Argyle [7 April 2007]
Team News
Leeds, of course, will be without Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev and Max Wober for the weekend, with the trio nursing long-term injuries.
Jayden Bogle picked up his fifth yellow card in the draw against Bristol City and will miss out on the weekend as he serves his one-match suspension.
Largie Ramazani will also be unavailable after sustaining an ankle injury in the 2-1 win against Watford and is expected to remain on the sidelines for four-to-six weeks.
For Plymouth, Rooney has confirmed his side will be without captain Joe Edwards, who is expected to be sidelined until the New Year, and centre-back Lewis Gibson [Leeds Live, 31 October].
The Pilgrims will also be without injured duo Conor Hazard and Brendan Galloway, while Ibrahim Cissoko who will continue to serve his red card suspension.
Predicted lineups
Leeds United: Meslier, Byram, Struijk, Rodon, Firpo, Tanaka, Rothwell, James, Aaronson, Gnonto, Joseph
Plymouth Argyle: Grimshaw, Palsson, Szucs, Pleguezuelo, Mumba, Forshaw, Randell, Whittaker, Hajj, Issaka, Hardie
Where to watch?
The match at Elland Road kicks off at 3pm GMT on 2 November and will be unavailable for live television coverage in the UK, but supporters can listen live on BBC Radio Leeds.
Prediction: Leeds United 3-0 Plymouth Argyle
Unfortunately for Rooney, his struggling Plymouth squad are travelling to one of the strongest sides in the Championship and this match-up is only heading in one direction.
Leeds have too much firepower for the visitors to handle and, after dropping points at Ashton Gate, Farke will be eager to send a statement of intent and begin closing the five-point gap to Sunderland at the top of the table.
The Whites have been impressive at Elland Road thus far this season and the trend will be expected to continue this weekend. It is not a case of if the hosts will win, but by how many goals in a one-sided clash.
In other Leeds United news, Daniel Farke has shared if Josuha Guilavogui can make his Whites debut against Plymouth.
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