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Saturday Fulham Stuff - 27/06/20...

Started by WhiteJC, June 22, 2020, 02:11:42 PM

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WhiteJC


Friday
Brentford
1-0
West Brom

WhiteJC

'Must-win game' – David Prutton predicts scoreline and winner of Leeds v Fulham

Leeds United return to Elland Road for the first time in over three months on Saturday when they host Fulham in West Yorkshire.

It is being billed as one of the biggest matches left of the season as it pits second versus third, less than 24 hours after first-placed West Brom take on fourth-placed Brentford.

It is a massive week for the Championship and ex-Leeds midfielder David Prutton is aware of how big a fixture it is for his former club.

However he still sees Leeds coming out on top and has predicted them to win 2-1.

"I feel like I've seen that Leeds performance at Cardiff so many times in the last couple of seasons. Dominate possession, a little error allows the opposition team to score with their first chance, and then they lack the cutting edge in attack to get back into the game. They need to bounce back quickly," Prutton wrote on the Sky Sports website.

"Fulham would have been gutted to miss the chance to close the gap, having been beaten by Brentford. You feel this is a defining must-win game in their quest for automatic promotion. I reckon Leeds will just have too much for Fulham."

We love Prutton's optimism.

Although Leeds lost to Cardiff at the weekend, Marcelo Bielsa's men still put in a good performance and were only defeated because of a couple of errors at the back.

It's been that story a number of times for Leeds this season and most recently it happened in the 1-1 draw at Brentford.

But, after that match, Leeds went on a five-match winning streak without conceding a goal.

Bielsa knows how to fix things after a display like that against Cardiff so let's hope he can pull it off again against Fulham.

This is Leeds' final match against an automatic promotion rival this season.

Prutton had better be right but we would not be too disappointed with a draw.



https://motleedsnews.com/news/must-win-game-david-prutton-predicts-scoreline-and-winner-of-leeds-v-fulham/

WhiteJC

MOT Tactics: 'The sort of game that will suit us' – Leeds v Fulham preview

This article is part of a regular series from Leeds United stats supremos All Stats Aren't We – the team also host a brilliant podcast that goes in-depth into the tactics of Marcelo Bielsa and a deeper look at the underlying stats

Some tactical thoughts ahead of the Leeds game against Fulham on Saturday afternoon

It's hard to think of a more important fixture in this post-Corona mini-series that we're going through than this. If Fulham win, they have a good chance of mounting pressure on the top two. If they lose, they'll fancy their chances are slim.

Both Fulham and Leeds lost their first fixture in the mini-series which also adds to the tension of this game: Leeds to Cardiff and Fulham to local rivals Brentford.

The West London derby was an attractive game of football where both teams played the sort of football they ideally want to play. Given Leeds and Brentford are not a million miles apart stylistically, it also offers us a good exemplar of how Fulham might set up on Saturday.

Fulham set up in a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 hybrid:



In possession, Tom Cairney and Bobby Decordova-Reid play as 8s with Harrison Reid quarterbacking behind them but out of possession, Cairney drops into a double pivot with Reid.

In attacking phases, then, Fulham look like Leeds in their defensive structure (4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3-) whereas their defensive phase looks much closer to a compressed 4-2-3-1 or a 4-5-1:



There are also other similarities between Fulham and Leeds: for example, against Brentford, Fulham played with Neeskens Kabano on the left as an out-and-out winger but Anthony Knockaert played deeper as more of an inside forward/right wing-back hybrid.

Through much of the season, the criticism of Fulham has been that they engage in much too much slow build-up play. Against Fulham, though, they recorded about 20% fewer passes to their season average (down to around 440 from 540) and looked to be more direct than usual.

The build-up play was clearly improved by Harrison Reed who functioned as an important progressor, helping move the ball between the defence and midfield.

The general plan seemed to be to play down the left-hand side of the field to try and work a crossing chance to find Mitrovic. If the left side proved unfruitful, they would recycle the ball around to the right and try again.

Of course, with Mitrovic on the field, this approach proved relatively successful and one chance in particular saw the Serbian force a save out of David Raya in the Brentford game.

Interestingly, though, Fulham's best chance came from a nice bit of interplay over on the left with Knockaert drifting across to create a numerical superiority.

The move started with Fulham driving through Cairney into the left-hand side of the Brentford half (Brentford's right back area). Cairney found Kebano with a pass into space:



With Knockaert (highlighted) drifting inside, a triangle was formed between the three players. Kebano found Knockaert who laid it off to Cairney:



Given that Fulham now had an overload in that part of the field, Harrison Reed was now in space. Cairney found him and Josh Dasilva was forced to rush out to him, leaving Bobby Decordova-Reid open:



Despite Pontus Jansson's best effort, Reed's pass found Decordova-Reid, who took the ball in and had a clear view of goal. It wasn't an easy chance but he'll feel aggrieved that the crossbar denied him:



Leeds' defensive plan on Saturday has to be to mitigate this threat from wide areas.

As we already know, Mitrovic is always a danger in the box. The best route for stymying him will be to cut out the middle-man and try to smother crosses in from out wide or at least make them as difficult as possible.

Expect both wingers to do a lot of defensive work picking up their respective full-backs to prevent unopposed crosses:



Interestingly, though, this could play into Leeds' favour. In Phil Hay's recent Athletic piece, he looked into the numbers behind Leeds and Fulham and highlighted the ponderousness of Fulham's attacking:



If Leeds do compress to stifle Fulham's crossing, this could give them the opportunity to try and catch Fulham on the break: an opportunity rarely afforded to them against most opponents:



In the opposite direction, Leeds will take comfort in the fact that they can put pressure on Fulham in advanced areas without worrying too much about being caught on the break themselves.

On paper, then, this is the sort of game that will suit Leeds much more than last weekend's game against Cardiff.

They should see the full benefit of playing the way they do and, whilst that doesn't guarantee anything, it will see them trying to win the game in the way they want to win.



https://motleedsnews.com/matchday/mot-tactics-the-sort-of-game-that-will-suit-us-leeds-v-fulham-preview/


WhiteJC

Stuart Dallas: We've got to enjoy it, there's no bigger incentive

Leeds United left-back on upcoming clash against Fulham

Leeds United star Stuart Dallas sat down with the press on Thursday night, as he answered questions ahead of this weekend's Championship clash.

Taking on Fulham who find themselves seven points behind the Whites in third place, Dallas discussed how big the game was, whilst stressing that it would not define the season, with plenty of teams and points still in contention.

Read some of his answers below, or watch the full press conference at the bottom of the article.

[Sky Sports] 8 games to go, but does this Fulham game represent an opportunity to take a giant step towards the Premier League?

Look, there's no getting away from how big the game is. We know it's a massive game, it's a chance to extend the gap between us and them. I don't think it's the be all, and end all if I'm being honest. No matter what happens, there's still a lot of football to be played at the end of the season, still a lot of points to play for. It's a big game, it'd be a huge step for us to win it, we've got to prepare right and hopefully we can get a positive result from it.

[Sky Sports] Does it feel like a mini season having come back, almost like a sprint finish to what has been a long season?

I think it's been strange for everyone involved, but we know what it is and what we have to do. It has been a long season, looking back at the first day against Bristol City in August, but these are the games you want to play in, we set out at the start to get promoted and we want to finish it off as strongly as we can. It is a sprint finish now, and a result on Saturday can take us that one step further.

[BBC Leeds] You've mentioned the rebel "No one likes us, we don't care" attitude this week, how much of a motivation is it to silence the doubters and detractors?

Yeah, it'd be great if we could  do that. We know there's a lot of people who doubt us, there's no getting away from it. I said previously in the interview, of course there's people who would love to see Leeds back in the Premier League, but I'm talking about in general, a lot of people want to see us fail. It spurs us on, as players we've got to feed off that, and try to get the job done. We'd be naive to think the job is done, because it's far from it. We've just got to approach every game as a cup final and that starts on Saturday.

[Yorkshire Evening Post] Fulham are probably different from other teams in that they're going to come and play. Do you look forward to that as it's different to the ultra defensive set ups you face?

Obviously it is difficult when teams come and sit in, just defend and hope to snatch something. It is hard, but we've got to have more about us when teams like that do come. Fulham are going to try and play football, on their day they are up there with the best in the Championship. They have a lot of good quality players with a lot of experience, we know how difficult it's going to be, it'll be a great game, and I think both teams probably needed to get the first game to get back upto speed. I'm looking forward to it, and I can't wait to get going.

[Leeds Live] The team has had an amazing season, incredible form going into the Cardiff game, then one defeat and there's always quite a lot of overreaction. One week later after a win, everything will be fine and dandy. How does the team react to seeing that type of overreaction? Do you just brush it off?

I think you've got to. Of course there's disappointment there, we know ourselves, we know the standards we have set, and when a defeat comes it annoys us as a group of players. The media will always overreact, and again we come back to that we're Leeds United, one bad result and everyone is having a meltdown. We're seven points clear of third place, we're joint top on goal difference, it's as if the world is falling apart, it's not. It's a challenge, we've got to embrace it, of course there's pressure, we represent a lot of people at this football club, but that's just part and parcel of playing for this club. We've got to enjoy it, there's no bigger incentive than getting promoted to the Premier League, it's going to be a good last 8 games.

[ITV]  Psychologically the result could have an impact, if you move 10 points clear or if it's cut to four points?

If we go 10 points clear it'd be great, but we can go 10 points clear of Fulham and if Brentford beat West Brom it's 8 points. We can talk about Fulham, but there's other teams in the hunt around there as well, we've just got to keep concentrating on ourselves. You've said cut to four points, I haven't thought about it like that, I like to remain positive.



https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/26706/stuart-dallas

WhiteJC

'Best player we've seen' – LUTV pundit heaps praise on Fulham ace ahead of Leeds clash

Ben Parker has heaped praise on Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic ahead of the game against Leeds United on Saturday.

The LUTV pundit claimed that the Serbian powerhouse is the best player he has seen outside of the Whites squad this season in the Championship.

Leeds currently have a seven-point gap to the Cottagers in third, with Marcelo Bielsa's men having a real chance to extend that at Elland Road.

Parker singled out Mitrovic as a dangerman, pointing out his influence in the reverse fixture earlier in the season which Leeds lost 2-1.

"He's a big player," he said on the Leeds United Show.

"We've spoken about Bryn, the games we've watched together this season, Mitrovic is probably the best player we've seen outside of our group.

"We know he's a threat, he's a danger and he's going to be a big point to kind of stop – stop Mitrovic, you've got a big, big chance of winning on Saturday."

It will be an obvious threat for Leeds to maintain on Saturday, but they can't just keep all of their attention on Mitrovic.

Scott Parker has a wealth of attacking threat in his side with the likes of Ivan Cavaleiro and Anthony Knockaert either side of the target man.

Leeds kept the forward relatively quiet at Craven Cottage, as he only had two shots on goal – one of those being the questionable penalty. He only made 15 passes and won three aerial battles according to WhoScored – Liam Cooper and Ben White doing a solid job, and they must do the same.



https://motleedsnews.com/news/best-player-weve-seen-lutv-pundits-heap-praise-on-fulham-ace-ahead-of-leeds-united-clash/

WhiteJC

Reed: Show A Reaction

Harrison Reed knows there is still everything to play for in the final eight matches of the season.


Fulham wanted to reduce the gap between ourselves and the top-two on restart weekend, but the only silver lining to our defeat was that West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United only managed to pick up one point between them.

"It's disappointing that playing first we weren't able to put pressure onto them, but then watching the results, it does give you a bit more belief that it's still possible," Reed said of his side's automatic aspirations.

"But the main thing for us is focusing on ourselves. If we're not picking up the points then it doesn't matter what they're doing. We'll keep focusing on ourselves like we have all season, and if we take care of ourselves and win games, then who knows what could happen.

"This league's crazy, we weren't expecting those results for West Brom and Leeds, so now we go to Leeds and we've got to believe that we can turn them over, and that's what we'll be trying to do.

"If you look at our fixtures, we've got to play Leeds, West Brom and Forest, so it's in our hands. We need to go to Elland Road and put them under pressure from the outset, stamp our authority on the game, and show a reaction.

"We all know that we need to show a reaction and get a positive result there."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/june/26/harrison-reed-show-a-reaction


WhiteJC

Fulham boss Scott Parker assesses potential impacts of Leeds United points swing after 'chipping away' at Whites
FULHAM boss Scott Parker insists his Cottagers would still have prospects of achieving automatic promotion even if they are defeated in Saturday's Championship crunch clash at Leeds United.

However, Parker hopes instead his men will leave with victory and slash the gap to four points after continually "chipping away" at the Whites.

Second-placed Leeds and third-placed Fulham will line up for Saturday's 3pm kick-off at Elland Road with seven points still separating the two sides after both the Cottagers and Whites were beaten in their first games back after the 15-week pause to the season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Fulham firstly blew the chance to close the gap to the Whites to four points when falling to a 2-0 loss at home to Brentford last Friday night and Leeds then squandered the opportunity to establish a ten-point cushion in the automatic promotion spots when suffering a 2-0 reverse at Cardiff City on Sunday lunch-time.

The gap between Fulham and Leeds will now be either ten points, seven or four after Saturday's clash at Elland Road and Parker has his eyes on the latter but says win, lose or draw his men will still have automatic promotion prospects.

"They don't come any bigger than Leeds away," Parker admitted.

"It's a massive game for Leeds, and it's obviously a massive game for us as well. We're looking forward to that, we'll go there and see what we can do.

"Every game for us this season has been a big game, and of course it becomes a little bit more important because of where the two sides are in the division.

"Leeds, for most of this season, have been one of the best teams.

"They've been at the top of the table for large parts.

"The last time we played them I think there was a 13 point gap, we managed to beat them at home and narrow that gap.

"We have chipped away and brought them back to us a little bit.

"And to think that if we go there at the weekend and get a result, against a very, very good team, we narrow that gap to four points."

Asked if a loss would end Fulham's automatic promotion prospects, Parker said: "It's difficult, but in saying that we live currently in a world which every day brings up surprises, and certainly when it comes to football.

"Leeds last weekend went and got beat by Cardiff, and that's no disrespect to Cardiff but you maybe wouldn't have thought that.

"I think this division at times this year, before the current situation, brought up many surprises. Leeds have had a big swing in points over the course of it.

"The weekend's a big game, of course it is, but I do still see there being an opening (if Fulham lose).

"It's going to be more difficult of course, because the gap becomes a lot bigger and there are fewer games.

"I firmly believe there's going to be many twists along the way. We need to put ourselves in a position to try and win as many games as we possibly can, and let's see where we are come the end of it."



https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/fulham-boss-scott-parker-assesses-potential-impacts-leeds-united-points-swing-after-chipping-away-whites-2896312

WhiteJC

Aleksandar Mitrović makes Leeds United claim ahead of clash at Elland Road this weekend


Leeds United take on promotion rivals Fulham at Elland Road on Saturday, in a crucial six-pointer which could go a long way in deciding which team wins promotion automatically from the Championship.

Leeds are currently sat second in the Championship table, whilst Fulham are third, but seven points adrift of Marcelo Bielsa's side heading into the match.

One player that Leeds will have to be wary of heading into the game is Aleksandar Mitrović, with the Fulham forward being in impressive form for much of this season.

The Serbian forward has 23 goals to his name in all competitions this term for the Cottagers, and will provide a stern test for the likes of Liam Cooper and Ben White.

Speaking in an interview with the club's official website, Mitrovic highlighted the importance of the game on Saturday, and insisted that his side are targeting a crucial three points.

"Yeah it's a big game, but for us it's like any other game, a game we will try to win. It's a good opponent who are above us, and we want to close that gap.

"It is a big game but we'll go into it and prepare like we would any other game. Every match for us this season has been big, especially now as we get closer to the end. It's a big game and we're going for three points."

Mitrovic went on to state that Fulham can beat any team in the Championship on their day, and praised Leeds for the performances that they have shown this term under the management of Marcelo Bielsa.

"I think we can beat any team in this league. They are in front of us, but we beat them the first time we played at home. That was a nice, good game, and we expect the same now.

"They're a team who play with a lot of intensity, they have a lot of speed, and they're a really good, physical team.

"I think it will be a nice challenge, a good game. The better team will win, and hopefully that will be us."

The Verdict:

It's going to be a fantastic game for the neutral.

Mitrovic has been a key player for Fulham as they target promotion back into the Premier League at the first time of asking under the management of Scott Parker.

Leeds have been the team to beat for much of this year's campaign, and Fulham will have to be at their best to come away with anything from Elland Road.

It'll be interesting to see what the future holds for Mitrovic, especially if the Cottagers aren't to win promotion from the Championship this term.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/aleksandar-mitrovic-makes-leeds-united-claim-ahead-of-clash-at-elland-road-this-weekend/

WhiteJC

'He's got to' – Parker faces key Fulham dilemma ahead of Leeds United clash: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

There is a massive game at the sharp end of the Championship tomorrow, as third placed Fulham travel to second placed Leeds United.


It's a game that could have a major say on the final standings of the season at the top end of the second tier, with just eight games of the season left to play.

Scott Parker will be keen to get back to winning ways after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Brentford last time out at Craven Cottage, and there will be several dilemmas he will be mulling over ahead of kick-off.

One of those is likely to be whether to hand a start to Ivan Cavaleiro against Leeds, with Neeskens Kebano getting the nod ahead of him last time out against the Bees.

The 26-year-old did come off the bench against Brentford, but will undoubtedly be seeking a start against Bielsa's Leeds.

So with this in mind, should Parker hand a start to Cavaleiro this Saturday?

The team here at FLW have their say.....

Jacob Potter

It's a tweak that would be worth making.

Cavaleiro hasn't featured as much as he would have liked to this season for Fulham, but he has shown promising signs from the substitutes bench at times this term.

He's a player that can change the course of a game with his direct-style of play when running at full backs, and I think he could cause Luke Ayling some problems at Elland Road on Saturday.

It's going to be a crucial game for Scott Parker's side, as a defeat to Leeds would all but end their automatic promotion hopes, especially after they were beaten by Brentford last weekend.

Parker needs to be bold in his team selection, and I think opting to start Cavaleiro instead of Kebano would be the right move heading into this game.

It also keeps Marcelo Bielsa guessing heading into the game, as you would imagine that they'll prepare to come up against Kebano as he's featured more regularly in recent matches for the Cottagers.

Alfie Burns

He's got to, it gives him the best chance of countering Leeds' overload on the right of the field.

Luke Ayling and Helder Costa link superbly and they like to play in the opposition half. However, putting Cavaleiro in the side will limit what Ayling can do going forwards.

He will have to be aware of the winger's threat and with Joe Bryan bombing forward too, Leeds will have their work cut out.

That pair can provide Aleksandar Mitrovic with the ammunition he needs and really give Leeds something to think about.

A mistake last weekend, but a chance to put that right this time around.

George Dagless

I think we'll see him feature.

In these games you want your best players on the pitch and Cavaleiro is one of the Fulham men that could win this game with a flash of skill.

Leeds are going to get forwards in this one and take the game to Fulham but that could leave spaces for the likes of Cavaleiro to exploit in behind.

If Cairney and Bobby Reid can thread the ball out wide to the wingers quick enough and get in behind the likes of Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas then Fulham could do some real damage.

It's time for Parker to be bold as, in all honesty, only a win will do for them at this stage in terms of the top two race.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/hes-got-to-parker-faces-key-fulham-dilemma-ahead-of-leeds-united-clash-the-verdict/


WhiteJC

Harrison Reed insists that promotion remains in Fulham's hands

Harrison Reed has told Fulham their Premier League promotion dreams remain in their hands as they prepare to fight it out with their closest rivals.

Scott Parker's third-placed side head for second-placed Leeds on Saturday desperate to close a seven-point gap to the automatic promotion places and bounce back from last weekend's 2-0 home defeat by Brentford.

The Cottagers also have clashes with leaders West Brom and promotion-rivals Nottingham Forest remaining and midfielder Reed is determined to make the most of their opportunity at a return to the top flight.

Midfielder Reed told the club's official website: "If you look at our fixtures, we've got to play Leeds, West Brom and Forest, so it's in our hands.

"We need to go to Elland Road and put them under pressure from the outset, stamp our authority on the game, and show a reaction."

Leeds also lost on their return to action as they went down 2-0 at Cardiff, and full-back Stuart Dallas urged his team-mates to relish the pressure of the promotion drive.

Dallas said: "It's a challenge, we've got to embrace it. Of course there's pressure – we represent a lot of people at this football club – but that's just part and parcel of playing for this club.

"We've got to enjoy it. There's no bigger incentive than getting promoted to the Premier League."

At the other end of the table 71-year-old manager Neil Warnock will attempt to write another chapter in his illustrious career as he takes charge of relegation-threatened Middlesbrough for the first time at Stoke.

Boro, who sacked Jonathan Woodgate earlier this week, sit above the relegation zone on goal difference, while the Potters are just two points better off.

Warnock told the cub's official website: "We've just got to try and focus on ourselves, not give Stoke any presents. And we have to be ready to die for the cause."

Hull head into the weekend inside the bottom three and make the trip to Birmingham, while Barnsley, who boosted their survival hopes with a win at QPR last Saturday, entertain Millwall.

Bottom-of-the table Luton face a tough task if they are to avoid being cut adrift when they travel to Swansea, who kept their play-off hopes alive with a comprehensive 3-0 win at Middlesbrough last weekend.

The Swans are a point behind Preston and derby rivals Cardiff, who meet at Deepdale straddling the dividing line between the top six and the rest and knowing victory could for either could be hugely significant

Blackburn will hope to maintain their play-off challenge at Wigan, while Derby host Reading.

Elsewhere, Charlton go into their clash with QPR just a point clear of the bottom three while sunday's games sees fifth-placed Nottingham Forest host lowly Huddersfield and Bristol City welcome Sheffield Wednesday.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/leeds-united/championship-promotion-race/news/harrison-reed-insists-that-promotion-remains-in-fulhams-hands_404002.html

WhiteJC

We've Narrowed Gap To Leeds United Before – Scott Parker Rallies Fulham Troops

Fulham boss Scott Parker has urged his team to close the gap on Leeds United in the Championship and stressed that they have done so before.

Leeds currently sit in the second and final automatic promotion place in the Championship and boast a seven-point lead over third placed Fulham. 

Fulham lost against Brentford last weekend, but head to Elland Road knowing they won the earlier fixture between the two teams this season.

Parker is keen for his men to cut the gap to Leeds to four points and has reminded his team that they have closed a gap to the Whites before.

And with games running out in the Championship, Parker makes no bones about the fact that the game against Leeds is massive.

"They don't come any bigger than Leeds away", Parker said at a press conference.

"It's a massive game for Leeds, and it's obviously a massive game for us as well. We're looking forward to that, we'll go there and see what we can do.

"Every game for us this season has been a big game, and of course it becomes a little bit more important because of where the two sides are in the division.

"Leeds, for most of this season, have been one of the best teams. They've been at the top of the table for large parts.

"The last time we played them I think there was a 13 point gap, we managed to beat them at home and narrow that gap.

"We have chipped away and brought them back to us a little bit.

"And to think that if we go there at the weekend and get a result, against a very, very good team, we narrow that gap to four points."

Leeds failed to seal the promotion deal last season and have big pressure on their shoulders this term to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2004.



http://www.insidefutbol.com/2020/06/26/weve-narrowed-gap-to-leeds-united-before-scott-parker-rallies-fulham-troops/460517/

WhiteJC

'Getting the excuses in' – Many Leeds fans react to Parker's Fulham comments

Leeds United take on Fulham this weekend in the Sky Bet Championship and will be aiming to get themselves a step nearer a return to the Premier League.

The Whites have been excellent at times this season and when the big games come around, they usually step up.

This is perhaps their biggest game of the season so far, too, with Fulham looking to reel them in and a win for them would close the gap up to four points between the two sides.

With Brentford and West Brom facing off tonight, there's plenty riding on this weekend and Leeds fans have naturally taken an interest in what Scott Parker has had to say about his team and their shape going into this one.

Indeed, Parker has tried to play a card suggesting that they've had a few issues to contend with but Leeds fans think it's a bluff.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/getting-the-excuses-in-many-leeds-fans-react-to-parkers-fulham-comments/


WhiteJC

Fulham risk losing international winger for free this summer


Fulham run the risk of losing Neeskens Kebano on a free transfer this summer.

The DR Congo international's current contract at Craven Cottage expires at the end of the season.

Kebano, who is 28 years old, has been with the London side since 2016 but faces an uncertain long-term future with Scott Parker's men.

The wide man offers Fulham more options and depth in their attacking department and is a useful player at Championship level.

They face a decision to make on him and finances could come into play.

Kebano signed for the Cottagers from Genk on an initial three-year deal with the option for a fourth, which they exercised last summer. He was a key player during his first two years at the club, the second of which he helped them gain promotion under Slavisa Jokanovic.

However, he saw his opportunities limited last term as Fulham were relegated after just a single season back in the Premier League and Kebano has since not played as much as he would like to.

He could therefore seek a move away after this campaign has finished but he will still be available to help in their push for a return to the top flight. They sit 3rd in the league and are eager to chase down West Brom and Leeds.

Kebano, who has also played for PSG, Caen and Charleroi in the past, will have to bide his time before awaiting his Fulham fate which could depend on what league they are in next season.



https://the72.co.uk/175666/fulham-risk-losing-international-winger-for-free-this-summer/

WhiteJC

'They can be caught' - Aleksandar Mitrovic issues Fulham rallying cry ahead of Leeds United clash

The Serbian international will be aiming to help his side bridge the gap on Leeds at Elland Road tomorrow afternoon


Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic (Image: PA)

Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic insists Fulham are still capable of sneaking into the automatic promotion places ahead of Saturday's highly-anticipated clash with Leeds United at Elland Road.

The two sides will go head-to-head in an empty Elland Road knowing that the result could go an awfully long away in deciding the promotion shake-up.

Leeds will enter the clash seven points clear of the Londoners, knowing that all three points could go a long way towards achieving their dream of returning to the Premier League.

However, if the Whites were to suffer a second successive defeat, the race for automatic promotion could go right down to the wire.

Despite having a seven-point gap to make up, Cottagers star Mitrovic, who is the Championship's leading marksman this season with 23 goals, is confident that Scott Parker's team can still make up the gap.

"Of course," he said, speaking to Fulham's club website. "There's still a lot of points to play for. Eight games left, that's a lot of points to play for and a lot of points that can be dropped.

"We are chasing two teams who are seven points in front of us, so they could be caught in three games. We have a chance to close the gap on them, and we'll try to do that. We are ready and we're looking forward to the game.

"If we win we are getting closer and it will make the finish of the season more interesting. But we're not thinking about that yet, first we have to be the better side on the pitch, only then can we win the game."

Though the prospect of facing Marcelo Bielsa's side away from home can be a daunting prospect for most clubs, Mitrovic, who scored in the reverse fixture back in December, insists the Cottagers will be arriving in West Yorkshire on the hunt for all three points.

The Serbian international added: "Yeah it's a big game, but for us it's like any other game, a game we will try to win. It's a good opponent who are above us, and we want to close that gap.

"It is a big game but we'll go into it and prepare like we would any other game. Every match for us this season has been big, especially now as we get closer to the end. It's a big game and we're going for three points."



https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/mitrovic-fulham-leeds-united-news-18494530

WhiteJC


Leeds vs Fulham preview: Championship clash live on Sky Sports Football
Watch Leeds vs Fulham live on Sky Sports Football from 2.45pm on Saturday; Kick-off is at 3pm.

LEEDS vs FULHAM: HOW TO WATCH & FOLLOW

On TV: Live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event from 2.45pm on Saturday.

Online: Sky Customers can also watch on Sky Go or the Sky Sports app from 2.45pm.

How to follow: You will be able to follow our live blog from Elland Road right here across all our digital platforms, where we will have free in-game clips of all the goals and key moments, and free highlights shortly after full-time.

TEAM NEWS

Pablo Hernandez faces a late fitness test before Leeds' home game against promotion rivals Fulham. Hernandez missed last Sunday's defeat at Cardiff due to a muscle strain, but has trained this week and boss Marcelo Bielsa will decide whether to include him in his squad on Friday.

Tyler Roberts is fit after playing his first full 90 minutes since November at Cardiff and Bielsa has no new injury concerns. Midfielder Adam Forshaw (hip) remains a long-term absentee and on-loan striker Jean-Kevin Augustin is not match fit despite recovering from a hamstring problem in April.

Fulham boss Scott Parker has no major new injuries to contend with after last week's defeat to Brentford, but Aboubakar Kamara remains doubtful. Kamara missed out against Brentford through injury, but Parker has several options if the striker remains sidelined.

Forward Ivan Cavaleiro is pushing for a recall after stepping off the bench and defender Alfie Mawson could return to contention after being out since January. On-loan Southampton midfielder Harrison Reed returned to action in the Brentford defeat following his injury problems and is expected to continue.

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID...

Leeds' Marcelo Bielsa: "Of course, playing without supporters is not the same as if you play with the fans, there is a difference there. The feeling I have, is the obligation of the home team has disappeared here, the home team is not forced to win because the fans are not there.

"On the other hand, this match is so important both teams are going to go for the match. The eight matches left are going to generate the same expectation until the situation is defined. Every match is important and this match has a more valuable meaning because we play with the direct and closest team to us to fight for promotion."

Fulham's Scott Parker: "They don't come any bigger than Leeds away. It's a massive game for Leeds, and it's obviously a massive game for us as well. We're looking forward to that, we'll go there and see what we can do.

"The last time we played them I think there was a 13 point gap, we managed to beat them at home and narrow that gap. We have chipped away and brought them back to us a little bit. And to think that if we go there at the weekend and get a result, against a very, very good team, we narrow that gap to four points."

TALKING POINT: IS THE TITLE RACE ABOUT TO OPEN UP?

With neither having been out of the top two since October, it seemed it would be a formality that Leeds and West Brom would be the teams to gain automatic promotion to the Premier League. Yet, the restart has cast a smidgen of doubt upon that.

Brentford's late win over Fulham saw them maintain their late assault on the but the Cottagers themselves have a chance to upset the apple cart at Elland Road, knowing that victory for them would narrow the gap between Leeds and themselves to just four points.

PRE-MATCH STATS

Leeds are winless in seven league meetings with Fulham (D5 L2) since a 3-0 away win in March 2015.

The last three Championship meetings between Leeds and Fulham at Elland Road have ended as draws, with Fulham taking the lead in two of those before drawing 1-1.

Each of the last five London teams to visit Elland Road for a league match have all lost – QPR (twice), Millwall (twice) and Brentford. The last London side to win away at Leeds was Millwall in January 2018.

Having won five consecutive league games without conceding before the enforced break, Leeds lost their first match after the restart, 0-2 at Cardiff.

Fulham are unbeaten in their last seven Championship away games, though five of these have ended level including each of the last three in a row (W2).

PRUTTON'S PREDICTION

I feel like I've seen that Leeds performance at Cardiff so many times in the last couple of seasons. Dominate possession, a little error allows the opposition team to score with their first chance, and then they lack the cutting edge in attack to get back into the game. They need to bounce back quickly.

Fulham would have been gutted to miss the chance to close the gap, having been beaten by Brentford. You feel this is a defining must-win game in their quest for automatic promotion. I reckon Leeds will just have too much for Fulham.

David Prutton predicts: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)



https://www.skysports.com/football/leeds-vs-fulham/live/409811


WhiteJC

Fulham forward an injury doubt for clash v Leeds – Sky Sports

Fulham might have to face Leeds United on Saturday without the services of forward Aboubakar Kamara, according to Sky Sports.

Kamara, 25, missed Fulham's 2-0 defeat to Brentford last week and Sky reports on their website that the Frenchman could miss out yet again this weekend when the Cottagers travel to Elland Road to play Leeds.

Scott Parker was unlikely to name Kamara in his starting line-up even if the former Monaco attacker was fit to play.

Although he has been an ever-present for Fulham by earning 25 appearances in all competitions this season, he has only started eight times in the Championship – mainly due to him playing second-fiddle to Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Mitrovic is the Championship's top goalscorer and is bound to be the biggest threat for Leeds United when they welcome Fulham to Elland Road this week.

In the five matches before lockdown, Leeds hadn't conceded a goal but Cardiff managed to capitalise upon two defensive errors to score twice in the first game after the season restarted.

They are the kind of mistakes that cannot repeated against Fulham.

Cardiff are not a bad side and they took advantage of those errors so imagine what Fulham will be able to do when they boast the likes of Mitrovic, Tom Cairney and Anthony Knockaert.

If Kamara ends up being available to play on Saturday then it would be no great concern considering the other threatening attackers that Fulham have at their disposal.

But the 25-year-old is still someone who has the potential to cause problems and there's a reason why Parker has thrown him in off the bench so many times this season.



https://motleedsnews.com/matchday/fulham-forward-an-injury-doubt-for-clash-v-leeds-sky-sports/

WhiteJC

It'd Be Great But – Leeds Star Downplays Important of Going 10 Clear of Fulham

Leeds United full-back Stuart Dallas has played down the potential importance of going ten points clear of third place Fulham ahead of the two sides' showdown in the Championship on Saturday and has stressed there are teams around them who are also capable of closing in.

The Peacocks restarted the season in poor fashion by slipping to a 2-0 defeat away at Cardiff City last weekend and will be looking to waste no time in bouncing back. 

They have a golden opportunity to send out a statement of renewed intent when Scott Parker's Fulham side visit Elland Road this weekend.

The Peacocks' Northern Irish full-back Dallas feels it is a good opportunity for the team to go ten points clear of their rivals, but stressed other clubs around them also have the chance to cut the points deficit down.

Dallas admits he likes to remain positive going in to big games after it was pointed out to him that his side could also come out of the game just four points ahead of the Cottagers if they were to lose the game.

"If we go 10 points clear it'd be great, but we can go 10 points clear of Fulham and if Brentford beat West Brom it's eight points", Dallas told a press conference.

"We can talk about Fulham, but there's other teams in the hunt around there as well, we've just got to keep concentrating on ourselves.

"You've said cut to four points; I haven't thought about it like that.

"I like to remain positive."

Leeds are second in the Championship table and level on points with West Brom, who sit at the top of the table ahead of the Peacocks on goal difference.



http://www.insidefutbol.com/2020/06/26/itd-be-great-but-leeds-star-downplays-important-of-going-10-clear-of-fulham/460556/

WhiteJC

Leeds United v Fulham: 5 key battles to look out for at Elland Road this weekend

There's a mammoth clash in the Championship this weekend as Leeds United host Fulham at Elland Road.

Leeds sit second in the table heading into the 39th game of the season, whilst Fulham are seven points adrift of them in third.

Given that gap, a Leeds win would put them firmly in the driving seat in their search for automatic promotion, with the pressure increasing on Fulham to pick up three points to give themselves a chance of catching the Whites and West Brom.

For a long time now this has been highlighted as a huge fixture in the automatic promotion race, which leads to us breaking down some of the key individual battles we expect to see at Elland Road...

Ben White v Aleksandar Mitrovic
The Championship's find of the season goes up against the division's best striker.

White has been superb for Leeds this season and has proved to be such a cool customer at the back. However, he's got a big task on his hands nullifying Mitrovic.

He's cruised past 20 goals this season and will be key to Fulham picking up points at Elland Road.

Kalvin Phillips v Tom Cairney
Two of the Championship's best midfielders will be going up against each other at Elland Road in Phillips and Cairney.

Their games are completely different, though, with Phillips' duty sure to be stopping his opposite man supplying Mitrovic with ammunition.

A mammoth battle, which could be so crucial.

Luke Ayling v Ivan Cavaleiro
Ayling is Leeds' right-back and has had a huge impact in pulling the Whites clear of Fulham.

However, he faces a tough task this weekend if he is to come up against Cavaleiro.

The Fulham winger is a real threat and after missing out on the XI last weekend, he's going to be itching to prove a point in Leeds.

Patrick Bamford v Michael Hector
Bamford had an off-day against Cardiff City last weekend and will have to significantly improve when he goes up against Hector.

The Fulham centre-back has helped shore things up at Craven Cottage and if he thwarts Leeds' No.9 this weekend, he goes some way to stopping Bielsa's side scoring.

Pablo Hernandez v Harrison Reed
Hernandez is back in contention for Leeds this weekend and Bielsa is sure to lean on his playmaker for that extra spark.

In an attacking Fulham midfield, Scott Parker could look to Reed to combat the Spaniard's threat.

A big ask.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/leeds-united-v-fulham-5-key-battles-to-look-out-for-at-elland-road-this-weekend/


WhiteJC

We Could Catch You In Three Games, Fulham Star Warns Leeds and West Brom

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has warned Leeds United and West Brom that the Cottagers could catch them in just three games and have not given up on automatic promotion.

Scott Parker's side went down to defeat against Brentford last weekend, but were helped by Leeds losing at Cardiff City and West Brom being held by Birmingham City. 

Fulham are seven points behind both West Brom and Leeds, and Mitrovic insists that automatic promotion remains very much what is being targeted at Craven Cottage.

A win against Leeds would cut the gap to the Whites to four points and Mitrovic has warned both sides ahead of Fulham that just three games can change everything.

Asked by his club's official site whether he thinks an automatic promotion is still achievable, the striker said: "Of course.

"There's still a lot of points to play for.

"Eight games left, that's a lot of points to play for and a lot of points that can be dropped.

"We are chasing two teams who are seven points in front of us, so they could be caught in three games."

Mitrovic is now zeroing in on weekend opponents Leeds and added: "We have a chance to close the gap on them, and we'll try to do that.

"We are ready and we're looking forward to the game.

"If we win we are getting closer and it will make the finish of the season more interesting.

"But we're not thinking about that yet, first we have to be the better side on the pitch, only then can we win the game."

Fulham will take confidence from that fact that the last time they met Marcelo Bielsa's side at Craven Cottage, they came away 2-1 winners, with Mitrovic adding to the scoresheet.

The Cottagers also still have to play West Brom this season.



http://www.insidefutbol.com/2020/06/26/we-could-catch-you-in-three-games-fulham-star-warns-leeds-and-west-brom/460520/

WhiteJC

Leeds United: Supporters react to Scott Parker quotes

Supporters of Leeds United have been reacting to quotes from Fulham manager Scott Parker which emerged on social media.

On Friday, the BBC broadcaster Adam Pope relayed some comments which were made by the 39-year-old Englishman.

In the quotes, Parker discussed the fitness of his players ahead of their trip to Elland Road to face Marcelo Bielsa's outfit on Saturday.

Parker said that the fitness of his side was "a bit of a mixed bag" due to "a number of players being nursed through certain issues" (per Adam Pope).

However, the quotes concluded with the Fulham manager stating that the Cottagers have "a strong enough squad".

So, following Pope's tweet with the quotes from Parker, lots of Leeds supporters flocked to it to air their reactions.




https://thisisfutbol.com/2020/06/twitter/leeds-united-supporters-react-to-scott-parker-quotes/