Leeds vs Liverpool Preview and Betting Tips

The Premier League is finally back after what felt like an eternity. The big game this weekend is at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon. Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds take on Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and it promises to be an absolute cracker. The hosts are the underdogs at 7/2, Liverpool are 8/11 and the draw is 3/1. FIFA have backed down on their threat to suspend players so all the Brazilian stars will be available for selection. If you are considering having a bet, check out our Leeds vs Liverpool preview and betting tips below.

Leeds

Leeds have yet to win this season. After a 5-1 hammering in their opener vs Man Utd they have drawn against both Everton (2-2) and away to Burnley (1-1). It isn’t the start that Bielsa would have wanted and he’ll be very keen to get a win on the board as soon as possible. Leeds will be missing a couple of players though. Both Klich and Junior Firpo have Covid-19 so they will be absent and Robin Koch is out injured. On the plus side, Raphinha will be available and they also signed Dan James from Man Utd on deadline day.

There is no secret as to how Leeds approach the game. They play with high intensity and they are one of the fittest teams in the country. It isn’t just all about running though. Some of their fast, attacking football is a joy to watch and when they are at their free-flowing best they are a very hard team to stop. Defensively, Bielsa’s preference to go man for man has cost them goals, especially against sides with excellent individual players. However, as they showed on multiple occasions last season, they usually score more than they concede.

Last season at Anfield Leeds went toe to toe with Liverpool and it almost worked. They only lost by the odd goal in a seven goal thriller but Bielsa changed tack in the return fixture and a more conservative approach was rewarded with a 1-1 draw. I think Leeds will follow that blueprint today. Bielsa may look to keep things tight at the back and try to use the pace of Raphinha and Dan James (if he starts) on the counter. They are capable of winning this game, but they could also lose it and that is what makes Leeds such a great watch.

Liverpool

Liverpool have started the season steadily if not spectacularly. They won their first two games against Norwich and Burnley, keeping two clean sheets. Their first big test of the season came against Chelsea and that ended 1-1. However, Chelsea were 1-0 up and looking quite comfortable until Reece James conceded a penalty and got sent off on the stroke of half time. Salah converted the penalty and it looked like The Reds would go on to win in the second half against ten men.

However, Chelsea sat in and were well organised and they held out for a draw. They had a couple of dangerous moments themselves as the half wore on and it looked like Liverpool ran out of ideas in the final third. Firmino got injured, which is a big blow, and he is out on Sunday. Jota and Mane struggled to make an impact and though Harvey Elliott tried hard, it just looked like they were missing a cutting edge.

As ever, Klopp will be looking to his full backs to take the game to Leeds. Andrew Robertson hasn’t looked himself so far this season but Trent Alexander-Arnold is back to his best. Salah will pose a threat up top but Liverpool need more from Mane and Jota. The Portuguese winger has scored two goals already this season but he needs to contribute more in other areas of the game. There is no doubt that Liverpool can win this match, but they’ll need to be at their best against a dangerous Leeds outfit.

Leeds vs Liverpool Possible Lineups

Leeds: Meslier, Cooper, Llorente, Struijk, Ayling, Phillips, Dallas, Raphinha, Harrison, James, Bamford.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott, Mane, Jota, Salah.

Leeds vs Liverpool Betting Tip

The result of this match could boil down to how Bielsa sets his team up. If he goes for the swashbuckling style that he often favours, Liverpool could make hay. However, I think he learned a harsh lesson at Old Trafford and I don’t think his team will be anywhere near as open on Sunday. I think Leeds will try and keep it fairly tight and they’ll choose their moments to attack.

It is hard to see Leeds keeping a clean sheet but with the pace of Raphinha and James on the flanks they are capable of exploiting the space in behind Liverpool’s full backs when they win the ball and they can get on the scoresheet. I can see a similar result to the corresponding fixture last season which finished 1-1. Back the draw and both teams to score at odds of 15/4.

Leeds vs Liverpool Betting Tip: Draw/both teams to score @ 15/4

Key Manager Quotes

Marcelo Bielsa: ‘To win is very important. Winning is always indispensable. There is always a motive to aim for that win which is always very determined. To compare a season which has already finished to one which has just started is not convenient. What’s for sure is there’s no such thing as an easy season.’

Jurgen Klopp: ‘Everybody tells me atmosphere (at Leeds) is outstanding so I’m really looking forward to it. We have people like Millie who can tell us. But the game will be tricky anyway. They have a specific way of playing with man-marking idea and very flexible and brave in possession.’

DaveStevos