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A second home game in the space of five days sees Leeds United take on Newcastle United at Elland Road on Wednesday night, as they look for their first home win over the Magpies since September 25th, 1999.
It was a disappointing night for Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds last Friday night as David Moyes' West Ham side walked away from Elland Road with a 2-1 win, returning to East London with all three points.
That's now two defeats on the bounce for Leeds. Bielsa's side have picked up just one win in six, and just two wins in nine.
Despite Friday night's loss, Leeds still sit in 14th place in the Premier League table on 14 points but the gap to the bottom three has been reduced, with the Whites now sitting just six points above the relegation zone.
Unless Leeds are to win by a four-goal margin on Wednesday night, a victory over Newcastle would still see Leeds sit in 14th as the Magpies are placed in 13th, with a three better goal difference.
Unlike ahead of the game against West Ham, Bielsa reverted to not naming his starting eleven before Wednesday night's game against Newcastle United. Bielsa said: "It would be incorrect if we thought that knowing the XI of the opponent gives you an important advantage. For me, it doesn't give you an important advantage.
"Anyhow, the formation and XI that I gave you last week without knowingly given it because they asked me of a certain position in particular and I spontaneously gave the XI with the player playing in that position."
Patrick Bamford was taken off in the latter stages of the defeat to West Ham, but Bielsa said that he is not injured and is available for the game against Newcastle. There are no fresh injury concerns for Leeds, but defensive duo Robin Koch and Diego Llorente remain on the sidelines.
Elsewhere, Newcastle picked up a second straight victory last week after beating fellow newly-promoted side West Brom 2-1 at St James' Park. The Magpies secured maximum points through Miguel Almiron's opener after just 19 seconds and a late header from striker Dwight Gayle.
Newcastle have lost just three of their last eight league matches, and those defeats came to Manchester United, Southampton, and Chelsea.
Steve Bruce can welcome back defender Federico Fernández and winger Ryan Fraser to his team. On the return of Fraser, Bruce said: "It has just been injury and he has trained for the past week and a bit. He is fully fit and like a new signing for us."
Forward Callum Wilson is another man who Leeds must look out for as he has netted seven times in just ten games this season.
Previous Meetings
Leeds last faced Newcastle back in the Championship during the 2016/17 season under Gary Monk.
In the fixture at Elland Road, Dwight Gayle scored a brace to secure all three points for the away side and in the reverse fixture, Chris Wood scored a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser to share the points at St James' Park.
Match Information
Leeds United vs. Newcastle United
English Premier League
18:00 Wednesday 16th December
Elland Road
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