Huge fresh boost in Leeds United promotion bid expected with new Sheffield United twist..
A huge fresh boost in Leeds United’s promotion bid is expected.
Leeds United have received more huge backing ahead of today’s Championship visit of Preston North End – with a fresh Whites boost expected and Sheffield United twist.
Leeds have their automatic promotion destiny in their own hands with five games left, starting with today’s 12.30pm kick-off against ex-Whites boss Paul Heckingbottom’s Preston at Elland Road.
The 16th-placed Lilywhites have lost just one of their last five league games but the bookmakers are very confident that Daniel Farke’s Whites will record the huge fresh boost of another three-point haul.
As part of more eye-wateringly short Leeds odds, Farke’s men are very strong odds-on favourites across the board in being no bigger than 1-4 but as short as 1-5 with some firms.
Heckingbottom’s visitors can be backed at a huge 14-1 to leave Elland Road with a victory and even the draw is on offer at 11-2.
Despite going seven games without a goal…
Despite having gone seven games without a goal, Whites striker Joel Piroe is 7-2 favourite to score first, ahead of second favourite Patrick Bamford at 9-2. Leeds have the first eight players in the first goalscorer market and a 2-0 win for Farke’s hosts is favourite in the correct score market at 5-1.
The bookmakers, though, expect key rivals Sheffield United to serve up the fresh twist of bagging three points themselves as they also take in a Saturday lunchtime 12.30pm kick-off as the Whites and Blades go head to head.
Chris Wilder’s Blades head to Plymouth Argyle following back to back defeats but Sheffield United are no bigger than 8-13 favourites to beat the rock bottom Pilgrims.
Plymouth can be backed at 5-1 and the draw is on offer at 16-5.
Leeds United want to sign Newcastle United star – Here are two things £60k-a-week man would bring to Elland Road..
The goalkeeping situation at Leeds United has hit the limelight in recent weeks and Nick Pope is the latest name to be linked with the position ahead of next season.
Illan Meslier’s ongoing struggles between the sticks for Leeds United could ultimately cost him his place in the team, with manager Daniel Farke opting to replace him with Karl Darlow for the matches against Luton Town and Middlesbrough.
Should Leeds secure promotion, they could enter the transfer market in search of a more reliable option in goal. One potential target is Newcastle United’s Nick Pope, who has been linked with a move to Elland Road, according to The Sun. The 32-year-old is seen as a direct replacement for Meslier.
This is likely dependent on a conveyor belt of decisions with Newcastle targeting Burnley’s James Trafford. Should that deal materialise, it would allow Pope to move on, and Leeds could seize the opportunity to strengthen their squad with the £60,000-per-week shot-stopper.
With this potential move in mind, Football League World has highlighted two key positives that Nick Pope could bring to Elland Road.
Nick Pope’s shot-stopping is brilliant
Premier League – Newcastle United v Southampton
The primary attribute Leeds supporters will be seeking from their goalkeeper is the ability to keep the ball out of the net, and Nick Pope would bring exactly that. While he may not have quite recaptured the same form he had pre-injury, he remains a brilliant shot-stopper.
This season the 32-year-old has featured in 20 league matches, keeping five clean sheets and conceding 27 goals. According to FotMob, his save percentage stands at 70%, and his ability to make top-quality saves remains unmatched by most goalkeepers.
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