Mark Lawrenson predicts outcome of Leeds United clash v Arsenal
Leeds United will look to bounce back to winning ways when they face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday (08 May).
Mark Lawrenson suggests Leeds have plenty to play for as they look to avoid the drop. For Arsenal, they need to extend the lead with Tottenham in the top four race, and it’s their “biggest game of the season.”
The Whites are heading into this game on the back of a 4-0 defeat against Manchester City.
“By the time they play, Arsenal will know how Tottenham got on at Anfield the previous day and whether a win would send them five points clear of Spurs before the north London derby on Thursday,” said Lawrenson to BBC Sport, while predicting a 2-0 win for the Gunners.
“Whatever Spurs do, though, Arsenal have just got to look after themselves from here on in. The derby doesn’t matter yet – for now, this game against Leeds is their biggest game of the season.
“Leeds have also got plenty to play for, because they have been dragged right into the relegation scrap.
“They certainly haven’t been short of effort since Jesse Marsch took over, but Arsenal showed against West Ham last week that they can scrap for the points when they have to.”
Must win
The relegation battle is heating up, and Leeds must get more points on board.
Everton are 18th in the table, two points behind the Whites and Burnley, but they have a game in hand.
It seems the momentum is with Burnley and Everton, whereas the tough fixtures for Leeds could put them in a spot of bother.
The defeat against Manchester City was expected, but the game also saw the Whites losing two of their key players – Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas.
Dallas will be out for the rest of the season, and it’s a massive blow for the club. Leeds need to stay focussed and stick to their game plan against the Gunners.
The Whites have to make sure they don’t make silly errors at the back, while at the same time, they have to take their chances.
Arsenal will come out with all guns blazing as they have their own targets to meet. It won’t be a bad result if the Whites can get a point away from home.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are leading the race to complete a major signing and have already opened talks to seal a £25m deal