Paul Merson predicts result of Leeds United Premier League clash v Fulham
Paul Merson has backed Fulham to beat Leeds United 2-1 on Saturday afternoon and inflict a third straight defeat on Javi Gracia’s side.
The Whites will be looking to stem the flow at Craven Cottage after conceding eleven goals in their last two Premier League fixtures.
Fulham head into the clash off the back of an impressive win over Everton and Merson has backed Marco Silva’s men to make it back-to-back victories.
“What has happened to Leeds this past week? Their goal difference was outstanding, but they’ve now lost their last two games by an aggregate margin of 11-2. They’ve basically conceded a point – it’s crazy,” said Merson (Sportkeeda predictions, 20 April).
“Leeds are always going to score because of the way they play, but these are worrying times for them. The slump has come at the wrong time. When you concede those many goals, they’re not just defeats – it could come down to goal difference.
“Fulham were outstanding last week. I thought Everton would be a hard game, but they beat them comfortably. Fulham are the better team and I’m backing them to win this game. Fulham 2-1 Leeds United.”
Turn the tide
This is where Gracia needs to earn his money. The losses to Liverpool and Crystal Palace have turned the season on its head. Before that, it felt as if progress was being made, however, that has been swiftly forgotten. The Palace game could potentially be looked back on as a turning point.
It was either going to rejuvenate the players or result in a complete capitulation – and after the Liverpool result, the latter seems the more likely outcome.
Leeds have already lost to Fulham twice during the 2022/23 campaign and a third loss could well be cataclysmic in their battle to avoid relegation. Finally, a gap has somewhat emerged at the bottom of the Premier League, with Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Leeds and Everton the five teams who are battling to avoid the drop.
With Leicester and Bournemouth to come, this run of fixtures will be telling when it comes to the Whites’ Premier League status next season.
In other Leeds United news, Andrea Radrizzani could agree a cheap sale of the club to the 49ers as a new option emerges.