Leeds United Home Form Could Be Exploited
Leeds United’s home form hasn’t been spectacular this season. In their nine games, they have won four of those whilst losing three and drawing the other two. Villa go to Elland Road on Friday night looking for a fourth consecutive win. Leeds won their last game at Barnsley but haven’t won back-to-back since early September.
In the first four EFL Championship games at Elland Road, Leeds kept clean sheets. Made up of two wins and two draws, Leeds managed to score seven goals. The opening games against Preston and Fulham were draws before putting five past Burton and two against our cross City rivals, Birmingham.
From there, Leeds started to concede goals at home and have done so since. After winning 3-2 against Ipswich, Leeds lost three home games in a row. Reading (0-1), Sheffield United (1-2) and Derby (1-2) all left South Yorkshire with three points. Their last home game was a 2-1 win against Middlesborough and now it is Villa’s turn for an away day at Elland Road.
In their defeats, Leeds have been vulnerable to conceding late goals and have done so in the 80th minute or later. Modou Barrow of Reading slotted home in the 84th minute. Sheffield United’s David Brooks settled the Yorkshire derby in the 81st minute whilst Sam Winnall’s 80th-minute penalty won the game for Derby County. Leeds have a problem keeping teams out late in the second half at home. Even Britt Assombalonga’s consolation goal for Middlesborough was conceded in the 78th minute. Villa should take comfort that late goals are definitely available on Friday night.
The last time Villa were entertained at Elland Road ended with a 2-0 win for the home side. Two goalkeeping errors from Pierluigi Gollini gifted Leeds with the win. The first goal was due to the keeper committing to collect a cross but failing to get to the ball and Kemar Roofe planted the header into the goal in the 68th minute. The second goal, in injury time, from Chris Wood‘s close-range stab after Gollini let a ball squirm under his body from a Leeds break. Current man of the moment Albert Adomah had a great chance to open the scoring in the first half but Rob Green was equal to the task. Should he be presented with a similar opportunity this Friday, it is to be expected that a very different outcome will occur.
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Friday night’s game is going to be tough but certainly not impossible to leave Elland Road with three points. Steve Bruce’s men have shown a certain mettle and steely determination that had been lacking for a considerable while. Winning ugly when required is a prerequisite for achieving promotion and signs augur well that maybe we can return to the Premier League this season. This game isn’t a ‘must win’ for Villa but the momentum being built could carry us into the busy Christmas and New Year period in an automatic promotion place. Leeds will want to make Elland Road a fortress again but there are signs that the walls can be breached.