Leeds United have made a solid start to life back in the Premier League. They sit 15th in the league table on 11 points after nine games, and are looking like solid bets to survive in the top flight this season.
Their 2-1 win over West Ham on Friday night relieved some of the pressure building on the team following back-to-back defeats in the Premier League. However, the three points have boosted their confidence ahead of a crucial run of games.
After nine games, Daniel Farke’s side have matched the points haul scored by Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds team in the 2020/21 season, when they finished ninth in the top flight.
Leeds have back-to-back away games lined up against Brighton and Nottingham Forest in the next couple of weeks, and the Whites could receive a major boost ahead of a major relegation six-pointer.
Leeds United rivals could be without a top defender
Premier League regulations state that if a player picks up five yellow cards before the 19 Premier League games of the season, they would have to serve a one-match ban.
Several combative players walk this thin line in the first half of the season, and teams often end up missing key players for big games due to this rule.
Nottingham Forest are under a serious threat of missing one of their most important players for the Leeds United clash at the City Ground on November 9.
Neco Williams has already picked up four yellow cards this season and will be walking the tightrope in the next ten games to avoid a one-game suspension.
He could be suspended for the big game at the bottom end of the table against Leeds if he picks up a caution against Manchester United at the City Ground next weekend.
Williams has started and finished each of Forest’s nine league games, and missing him for the Leeds game would be a crushing blow for the team.
Leeds have been more disciplined this season
Farke’s men have a solid disciplinary record in the Premier League this season, despite playing a more physical and combative game to ensure they do not get bullied in the top flight.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola conceded after the 2-2 draw at Elland Road that his side struggled to deal with Leeds’ physicality.
However, that has not reflected in their disciplinary record. Leeds have only picked up 14 yellow cards, with no player picking up more than two cautions.
Noah Okafor, Jayden Bogle, and Ethan Ampadu have picked up two yellow cards each and are not under any immediate threat of suspension.
Barring any injury concerns, Farke should be able to field his best eleven for the big game at the City Ground unless someone picks up a red card against Brighton this weekend.
