Leeds United are set to take on Bournemouth at Elland Road on Saturday, and they are going into the game with some confidence in their stride. However, the Whites will take a closer look at the match officials appointed for the game at home this weekend.
With seven points from their opening five league games, Leeds have made a solid start to life back in the Premier League. While the naysayers remain, Leeds are being given a decent chance of survival in the top flight at the end of the season.
Leeds have back-to-back home games lined up before the international break, and they are keen to make the most of their decent home form to ensure they are in a stronger position by the beginning of October.
Bournemouth, who are fourth in the league with three wins in five, are set to visit Elland Road next weekend, and Leeds will be mindful of the referee appointed for the big game in Yorkshire this weekend.
Leeds will face Bournemouth under Michael Oliver’s watch
Michael Oliver is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s top referees, regularly officiating high-profile matches in the league and the Champions League, and is set to feature in next year’s World Cup.
However, Leeds do not have several fond memories of Oliver officiating their fixtures, especially in the Premier League.
Oliver has been in charge of nine Leeds games in the Premier League, and the Whites have won two, drawn one and lost the remaining six fixtures.
Leeds have lost more than two-thirds of the Premier League games that Oliver has officiated, which should give them some trepidations ahead of the Bournemouth clash.
The Whites also lost two of the three games at Elland Road under Oliver’s watch, with the 3-1 win over Tottenham at home in 2021 being their solitary success.
Leeds’ only other victory under his watch came away at Anfield when Leeds beat Liverpool 2-1 in 2022.
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