For all of Leeds United’s good work over the last two months, they have yet to win away in the Premier League since September.
And that was against bottom club Wolves, having conceded an early goal. A point away from home should never be sniffed at given the context of the Whites being a newly-promoted team, with a point per game probably enough to see Leeds stay up.
There might be a mindset that draws on the road coupled with the club’s excellent home form at Elland Road will be enough, having lost just twice there all season. Leeds are only 13 points off their 38-point base aim and so it is a feasible standpoint.
Yet three points would come as a brilliant boost, meaning just 10 points would be needed in the final 15 games to reach their goal. And it’s always better to get points on the board early on, given it is not known what may lie ahead in terms of injuries and form.
Calvert-Lewin’s Everton return
It is quite ironic that Everton could probably do with a forward like Dominic Calvert-Lewin right now, in current form. The striker, of course, left the Toffees over the summer with a contract renewal not coming to fruition.
That meant he became a free agent for the first time in his career and was consequently left in limbo before deciding to move to Leeds. Calvert-Lewin has credited Farke for playing to his strengths, something he said had not always been the case under previous coaches.
The striker walks into Everton’s new stadium with a Premier League player of the month award in his cabinet after scoring six goals in five games across December.
He was not fit enough to play in the dramatic opening day win over his former employers so this is his primary opportunity to show Everton that they made a mistake – although they may already be feeling that already.
Okafor to start?
One talking point among supporters is whether Noah Okafor will keep his place having stagnated in his form, especially after Lukas Nmecha sprung up with an important goal against. Many fans wish to see a reprisal of Nmecha’s partnership with Calvert-Lewin.
The Germany international himself says they have “proven” they can play together. But it has been Okafor who has been used due to United’s shape when in possession.
Although against the ball a 3-5-2 formation is deployed, the system morphs into a 3-4-3 shape when in possession with Okafor moving out to the left and a marauding Brenden Aaronson on the right. Nmecha has been brought on as a hybrid left winger at times and it had not worked until last Saturday.
All the while Okafor has frustrated onlookrs at times, having been able to beat a man but lacked the final end product, be it a pass or a finish. His last goal contribution came back in October, so his mission is to end this barren streak.
Darlow to be tested amid goalkeeper problem
Karl Darlow walked away with a clean sheet against Fulham, albeit was not tested much. The Cottagers were limited to just 0.39 xG and one shot on target, which was a pretty tame one at that.
Darlow looked far more composed on the ball albeit was not perfect. His long passing was not always accurate and his misjudged header outside of the area went unpunished when it perhaps should have been.
Leeds need sturdy hands right now and Darlow provided that during last season’s run-in. He is set to stay in goal for Monday and he is expected to be tested more, so we could see a better reflection of his comparison to Lucas Perri.