Willian expects strong Leeds United reaction ahead of crunch Premier League showdown v Fulham
Fulham star Willian is expecting a tough Leeds United reaction when they host the Premier League relegation candidates at Craven Cottage on Saturday [22 April].
After tasting a much-needed upturn in form winning two of their previous three games, the Whites suffered damaging back-to-back 5-1 and 6-1 defeats to Crystal Palace and Liverpool respectively, leaving them floating just above the drop zone by two points.
Javi Gracia’s men will be aiming to correct those wrongs when they travel to West London on Saturday and the Cottagers’ Brazilian star Willian is expecting the Whites to provide a strong response after their horrible results.
Asked if he anticipates a reaction this weekend on Fulham’s official website [20 April], he said:
“For sure, we have to expect that, because they are fighting down in the table. We need to be ready for this game because it’s going to be a tough one for us.
“As we know, in the Premier League there are no easy games to play, only difficult ones. And against Leeds United, it’s going to be a difficult game again.
“But we’re playing at home and we have to win this game because we want to achieve something important for the Club.”
Three or nothing
After their last two damaging results against Palace and Liverpool, this game at Craven Cottage now becomes a must-win game for Leeds United and Javi Gracia – the kind of game and context where the Whites can’t even afford a draw considering how tight it is down the bottom of the Premier League table.
It is all or nothing for the Whites and it will be intriguing to see how Gracia approaches this game tactically as there are suggestions that he could go to a three-man midfield rather than a two-man setup given the club’s frailties defensively over the past two games.
And that may well be the right way to go against a Fulham side who have been impressive all season.
Certainly, the Leeds United bosses will have been dreaming of being in the Cottagers’ position in the table rather than within the bottom six, but such is the way both clubs are run both on and off the pitch, Fulham evidently deserve their lofty position in the table.
A win on Saturday for Leeds will be hugely vital for their survival chances and given the performances of some of Gracia’s tried and trusted players, he may be forced to change tact and personnel this weekend. Leeds will indeed be fighting for their lives.
In other Leeds United news, here’s what our exclusive pundit had to say on the Jean-Kevin Augustin saga at Elland Road.