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By @jonnychick__.
Leeds United welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Elland Road on Saturday as the Whites are still in search of their first win of 2021.
In their most recent outing, it was a match to forget for Leeds as they bowed out of the FA Cup in embarrassing fashion, losing 3-0 at League Two Crawley Town. Goals from Nick Tsaroulla, Ashley Nadesan, and Jordan Tunnicliffe delivered the shock of the third round.
In terms of domestic results, Leeds' last match in the Premier League was a 3-0 defeat away at Tottenham Hotspur. Attacking duo Harry Kane and Heung Min Son were both on target to give the London club a two-goal lead at halftime, and Spurs made it 3-0 in the second half with defender Toby Alderweireld heading home from a corner.
Marcelo Bielsa will be looking for a response on Saturday and hoping his side can move even further away from the relegation zone. Leeds currently sit in 12th place in the Premier League table on 23 points, nine points above upcoming opponents Brighton who are in 17th on 14 points, just two points and one place above the bottom three.
Brighton head into Saturday's game in search of their first Premier League win since the 21st of November 2020, when they beat Aston Villa 2-1 away at Villa Park. The Seagulls are winless in their last nine league games, drawing five and losing four.
On Wednesday evening, Brighton lost 1-0 away at Manchester City thanks to a first-half strike from Phil Foden. Brighton defended resolutely and held their own against Pep Guardiola's side, and they will look to take the positives of that performance into the game against Leeds.
A familiar face in Ben White looks set to make his return to Elland Road this weekend. The defender won promotion to the Premier League with Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds last season, and he won the club's Young Player of the Year award in the process.
When asked about Ben White in this week's press conference, Bielsa said: "All of us here, we admire him as a player and we respect him and love him as a human being.
"He was an excellent professional as well as a team-mate. I hope that his career allows him to grow because he deserves it."
The Whites will need to be wary of Brighton's aerial threats with the likes of Ben White, Dann Burn, Lewis Dunk, and Adam Webster at the back.
Both clubs are high in the table for most goals conceded this season so an entertaining match should be expected.
TEAM NEWS
Leeds United are without midfielder Kalvin Phillips as he serves a one-match ban for picking up his fifth yellow card of the season during the defeat at Tottenham a fortnight ago. Pascal Struijk is likely to take up Phillips' role.
However, United are boosted by the returns of forward Tyler Roberts who has recovered from illness, and defender Diego Llorente who is available again following his injury.
Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion welcome back midfielder Yves Bissouma from suspension, while Steven Alzate could feature following an illness.
The Seagulls, however, remain without six players including Danny Welbeck, Tariq Lamptey, and new signing Jakub Moder.
Defender Ben White was a potential doubt for the midweek game at Manchester City, but he played the full 90 minutes.
Brighton boss Graham Potter, when speaking about Ben White and his relationship with Leeds, said: "He can be proud of his time at Leeds, he helped them, and they helped him.
"He is very respectful of how they helped him and how they progressed his career."
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Leeds United have lost seven of their past nine league matches against Brighton. However, they did win the most recent league fixture, in the Championship in March 2017. A second-half brace from striker Chris Wood secured a 2-0 win for the Whites at Elland Road.
Saturday will be the first top-flight meeting since Leeds won 2-1 at Elland Road in May 1982. The Whites have never lost at home against Brighton in the top flight, winning two games and drawing one.
MATCH INFORMATION
Leeds United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
English Premier League
15:00 Saturday 16th January 2021
Elland Road
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