The Premier League’s Saturday action features a highly anticipated clash as Leeds United hosts Arsenal at Elland Road. The match takes place on Saturday, January 31. Arsenal leads the league but is struggling, having not won in their last three matches. Leeds, managed by Daniel Farke, seeks to capitalize on home advantage to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
Match Details
- Match: Leeds United vs Arsenal
- Date: Saturday, January 31
- Location: Elland Road, Leeds, England
- Kick-off Time: 10:00 AM EST, 9:00 AM CST, 4:00 PM CET
- Referee: Stuart Attwell
Recent Performance
Arsenal’s recent form shows they have slipped to just four points above their nearest rivals after a loss to Manchester United. Although the Gunners secured a 3-2 win against Kairat in the Champions League, transferring that momentum to the league is crucial.
Conversely, Leeds United is buoyed by their home form, with five points earned from their last six home matches. They recently drew against Everton and secured a 1-0 victory over Fulham.
Head-to-Head Record
Arsenal and Leeds have faced each other multiple times, with Arsenal dominating the past encounters:
- Arsenal Wins: 5
- Draws: 0
- Leeds Wins: 0
In the first leg of this season, Arsenal triumphed with a convincing 5-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Team News
Leeds United
Leeds is positioned 16th with 26 points, six points clear of relegation. Farke is pleased to have key players back in the squad, boosting their chances. Gabriel Gudmundsson and Daniel James are likely to return, though Jaka Bijol remains sidelined.
Leeds may line up in a 3-5-2 formation:
- Karl Darlow
- Joe Rodon
- Pascal Struijk
- Sebastiaan Bornauw
- Jayden Bogle
- Ilia Gruev
- Anton Stach
- Ethan Ampadu
- James Justin
- Brenden Aaronson
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Arsenal
Leading the league with 50 points, Arsenal has struggled lately, recording two draws and a loss in their last three league matches. The return of Declan Rice and Mikel Merino from suspension should bolster their midfield. Expect William Saliba and Jurrien Timber to return after missing the last Champions League match.
Arsenal’s possible lineup in a 4-3-3 formation includes:
- David Raya
- Jurrien Timber
- William Saliba
- Gabriel Magalhães
- Riccardo Calafiori (or Zinchenko)
- Declan Rice
- Mikel Merino
- Martin Ødegaard
- Bukayo Saka
- Kai Havertz
- Gabriel Martinelli
Match Prediction
Leeds presents a tough challenge at home, but Arsenal’s return of key players like Rice and Saliba could be decisive. The pressure is on Arsenal to secure a win to maintain their lead. A close match is expected, with a predicted score of Leeds United 1-2 Arsenal.
