Prediction: Leeds United vs Arsenal

Verdict: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to build off of their thumping display from earlier in the week, Arsenal will make the trip to Elland Road on Saturday evening when they face off against Leeds.

Leeds United

Starting with the hosts, putting in what was a nightmare performance on the road in midweek, there is no doubt that Leeds’ morale would have taken a major hit at the Etihad. Suffering their worst ever Premier League defeat at the hands of defending champions Manchester City, Marcelo Bielsa’s men were eventually hit with a dreadful 7-0 drumming. While the Whites might have gained plenty of plaudits last season after making their top-flight return, the one-time Napoli boss now finds his side firmly looking over their shoulder at the drop zone. Failing to bounce back from their last-gasp 3-2 defeat away at Chelsea last weekend, fans around Yorkshire have seen their side win just a pair of their last 11 contests, a run that stems back to October 2nd. In fact, conceding 12 goals in just their last three Premier League matchups, Bielsa’s side could be bracing themselves for a long evening’s work at Elland Road.

Team News

Dealing with an injury crisis at Elland Road, the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Daniel James, Jamie Shackelton, Liam Cooper, Rodrigo Moreno and Pascal Struijk are all expected to miss out.

Likewise, summer arrival Junior Firpo will serve a one-match suspension this weekend.

Arsenal

As for the visitors, putting in what was a hugely impressive display earlier in the week, there is no doubt that the mood in Arsenal’s camp should be at a real high on Saturday evening. Dominating London rivals West Ham at the Emirates on Wednesday night, Mikel Arteta’s men claimed a deserved 2-0 victory against the Hammers. While they might have endured a testing week behind the scenes with club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being stripped of his captain’s armband, the Gunners have found a route back into the top-four. Leapfrogging their midweek opponents, Arsenal should be smelling a real chance at Elland Road here. Finding a way to build off of last weekend’s 3-0 romp against Southampton, Arteta’s men will now be hoping to find some stability. With their sights firmly set on securing a European return this season, Saturday’s guests will also be boosted by their most recent meetings against Leeds. Including a 4-2 win in Yorkshire back in February, Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 10 meetings against the relegation scrappers.

Team News

Finding the net after coming off the bench in Wednesday’s 2-0 win against West Ham, Emile Smith-Rowe could be in for a recall to Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.

Stripped of the captain’s armband in midweek, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not expected to feature here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off at Elland Road back in February, Arsenal picked up a 4-2 victory.
• Likewise, the Gunners are unbeaten in each of their last 10 straight meetings against Leeds across all formats.
• Saturday’s hosts have won just a pair of their last 11 contests, a run that stems back to October 2nd.
• Leeds have also conceded 12 goals in just their last three Premier League matchups.
• Arsenal have lost their last three Premier League matchups on the road.

Conclusion

While Arsenal might have shown some extended issues away from the Emirates, the Gunners really should be smelling a golden chance here. Storming their way to a deserved 2-0 victory against London rivals West Ham earlier in the week, Saturday’s guests have also found a route back into the Champions League spots. Given their 10-match unbeaten run against Leeds, Marcelo Bielsa’s struggling squad could be in for another stern test. Coming off the back of that woeful 7-0 drumming away at Manchester City in midweek, the Whites are firmly looking over their shoulder at the drop zone. With Arsenal claiming a 4-2 win the last time they made the trip to Elland Road, we’re backing a similar away win this weekend.

Verdict: Arsenal win

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Unibet