Football writer Conor McGilligan has claimed that Leeds United are set to get a ‘huge’ boost in their first game after the upcoming international break.
In the last round of Premier League fixtures, Leeds finally claimed their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Watford. On the other hand, their next opponents, Southampton, are still chasing their first three points as they fell to defeat away at Chelsea.
That was thanks, in part, to the red card received by captain James Ward-Prowse, who will be suspended when Leeds face the Saints on 16th October.
The two clubs will play each other at St. Mary’s when the international break comes to an end, but McGilligan believes the absence of Ward-Prowse will be ‘massively advantageous’ for Marcelo Bielsa’s men ahead of the game.
As Ward-Prowse picked up a straight red card during the loss at Stamford Bridge, he will be unable to play in any of his side’s next three games.
While talking on his YouTube channel, McGilligan spoke about how this could benefit Bielsa’s side, saying: “The big news is obviously, James Ward-Prowse is going to be out of that Leeds game, which is massive in terms of so many things.
“Just his end product, his set-piece delivery. That is huge, and with Leeds having bodies on the way back, that’s hopefully going to be massively advantageous.”
TIF Thoughts on Leeds United’s form…
Last season was an incredible period for Leeds. Not only were they playing in the Premier League for the first time since 2003/04, but they were also doing it pretty well.
Indeed, an impressive campaign saw the club finish ninth in the league, their highest finish in England’s top division since 2001/02 (when they came fifth).
This term, however, things have not quite gone so smoothly. A shaky start has meant that the club were without a win in their first six games.
Will Leeds beat Southampton?
Yes
No
Having finally got that monkey off their back with the win over Watford, the players will likely be feeling a little better about themselves. And with Ward-Prowse set to miss their visit to the south coast, all those involved at Leeds may well fancy their chances against Southampton, as both clubs look to be heading in opposite directions.
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