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By @jonnychick__.
Leeds United travel to St James' Park on Tuesday evening to face Newcastle United with both sides looking to escape their poor runs of form.
It's been a disappointing start to 2021 for Leeds United, having lost 3-0 away at Tottenham Hotspur and 3-0 away at League Two side Crawley Town, crashing out of the FA Cup in embarrassing fashion.
And their bad form continued in their last match, suffering a third straight defeat at the hands of Brighton and again failing to score. Striker Neal Maupay scored the only goal of the game to secure maximum points for the Seagulls.
Leeds are now in danger of losing four matches in a row for the first time since November 2017, though their nine-day rest could be an advantage heading into Tuesday night's game.
However, Newcastle United are in even worse form as they are without a win in their last 10 games in all competitions, with seven defeats and only four goals in that period.
Newcastle's awful run started the last time these two sides met back in December, where Leeds won 5-2 at Elland Road thanks to goals from Stuart Dallas, Rodrigo, Gjanni Alioski, Jack Harrison, and top-scorer Patrick Bamford who has registered 10 Premier League goals this season.
The Whites will be looking to complete the league double over Newcastle for the first time since the 1975/76 season, and considering Newcastle's abysmal form, Marcelo Bielsa's side will definitely fancy their chances.
In their previous game, Newcastle lost 2-0 away at Aston Villa last Saturday, leaving them in 16th place on 19 points, just seven points above the relegation zone.
Manager Steve Bruce has been under fire from Newcastle fans after their recent results, with many calling for the 60-year-old to be sacked. Bruce says he understands the criticism, but he will certainly be feeling the pressure.
TEAM NEWS
Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin made his comeback at the weekend, coming off the bench to play 25 minutes against Aston Villa, but it's unclear if he's fit to start after his lengthy Covid-19 absence.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Steve Bruce said: "I would think it's a bit too soon for (Allan Saint-Maximin) to start. He's played 25 minutes and had a week of training in eight weeks so we have to be clever."
Bruce also confirmed that Paul Dummett, Federico Fernandez, and Ciaran Clark all remain out while Javier Manquillo is also a doubt.
As for Leeds, they are boosted by the return of midfielder Kalvin Phillips from suspension, while they can also welcome back 20-year-old French goalkeeper Illan Meslier who has recovered from illness.
Defender Diego Llorente scored for the Under-23's last week and could be in contention to make his first start in a Leeds shirt. Marcelo Bielsa was full of praise for the Spain international in his press conference this week, saying: "Llorente has the characteristics of a strong defender.
"He is a player who is happy recovering the ball and he’s the player who has physical attributes who can help in the aerial game and the physical game on the ground."
Bielsa also said that defender Gaetano Berardi will start to train with the squad soon while midfielder Adam Forshaw will be out for a little longer, but he does hope to see Forshaw play again in the "not-too-distant future". Meanwhile, German international defender Robin Kock remains on the sidelines.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
- Newcastle United have won eight of the last 12 meetings in all competitions, drawing two and losing two.
- The two sides last met in December, where Leeds ran out 5-2 winners at Elland Road.
- Leeds last traveled to St James' Park in April 2017, where Chris Wood scored late on to cancel out Jamal Lascelles' header and secure a 1-1 draw for the Whites.
MATCH INFORMATION
Newcastle United vs. Leeds United
English Premier League
18:00 Tuesday 26th January 2021
St James' Park
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