Leeds United

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Premier League leaders Arsenal are unlikely to have it easy against Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday (15:00 GMT) as they look to steady their wobble at the summit of the table.

The Gunners have a healthy four-point advantage over Manchester City going into the weekend but seem vulnerable given their recent league form. Back-to-back 0–0 draws at home to Liverpool and away at Nottingham Forest were followed by a 3–2 loss to Manchester United last time out.

The atmosphere should be white-hot when they rock up in Yorkshire this weekend, with Leeds unlikely to take a backward step. Daniel Farke has made the team a serious proposition in recent weeks and they have relished bloodying the nose of some of the division's more glamorous names since their promotion.

Leeds looking up after superb surge

Leeds showed what they are all about in their 1–1 draw with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday.

In the first half, they physically bossed and tactically outsmarted their opponents and should have been more than one goal ahead at the interval. When the inevitable Everton pressure came in the second half, they were able to bend rather than break, conceding a goal but coming away with a creditable 1–1 draw.

That point means Leeds have still lost only one of their last 10 Premier League games (W3, D6). No side have lost fewer matches since the start of December.

Image source, BBC Sport

While they have won just one of their 12 away games, they have frequently found an extra gear to get them over the line in front of their own supporters.

Leeds have lost only twice at Elland Road all season and beaten Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Everton, as well as picking up draws against Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle.

Arsenal out of sync as pressure builds

Arsenal do at least have some good memories of matches against Leeds, the most recent of which was a 5–0 win at the Emirates Stadium back in August.

Even at Elland Road, the Gunners have won four and drawn two of the previous six meetings.

Still, it is clear the balance is not quite right for Arsenal at the moment. Against Liverpool and Forest, they were arguably a little too cautious, whereas in the loss to United they never really felt in control of the game.

There has been plenty of focus on the forwards given their recent issues. Since the turn of the year, none of Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke nor Leandro Trossard have scored a Premier League goal.

But what kind of service are they getting? In recent years, Arsenal's main creative force has been captain Martin Odegaard. Lately, he has been well below his best too.

Speaking after the defeat to United, Odegaard said that "obviously" the team's three successive runners-up finishes were a factor in this title race. While the captain will need to showcase leadership during this trying spell, an uplift in his own performances on the pitch would undoubtedly help to calm nerves.

Image source, BBC Sport

Could Jorgen Strand Larsen become a Leeds player?

The team on Don't Go To Bed Just Yet have considered the possibility.

Take a glance at the clip below.

Listen to a special weekend episode here, featuring a look ahead to facing Arsenal

Explore all Leeds United content on BBC Sounds

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Elland Road (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jaka Bijol and Lukas Nmecha are unavailable, while there is a small possibility Gabriel Gudmundsson will return.

• Nmecha felt an issue with his hamstring before Monday's draw at Everton and that is why Farke left him on the bench. The boss added it is "not a major issue" and he should be back for the following game against Nottingham Forest.

• Farke said there will be no transfer activity based off those players being injured because they are sidelined in the short-term.

• More on the looming transfer deadline: "It's our responsibility to give ourselves the best squad for the run-in because it's important not to fall asleep, but we can allow ourselves to be picky. It's good that we are not in a position where we have to panic."

• He added that fans "should be proud" that the club are not scrambling in this window to do business as "it's a sign of stability".

• Under-21s captain Alfie Cresswell has had "loan interest" in this transfer window but the club have rejected it. Farke said: "He is part of our training group and is progressing well. It doesn't mean he will have a debut against Arsenal, but there are chances to be involved in matchday squads right now and get a few minutes."

• On opponents Arsenal: "One of the toughest tasks you can have, but we also know that if we are at our very best, especially at home at Elland Road, we can fight for points against any team. We know we need an outstanding day to have a chance but we know we are capable of doing this."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to live commentary of Leeds vs Arsenal on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

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In-form Leeds United host league leaders Arsenal at Elland Road this weekend and you can hear full commentary from the BBC Radio Leeds team live from the ground.

Commentator Adam Pope and ex-United full-back Aidy White will bring you all the action as Daniel Farke's side try to put right the 5-0 drubbing at the Emirates in August.

You can listen live on Saturday, 31 January from 15:00 GMT on BBC Sounds here.

Explore all Leeds United content on BBC Sounds

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BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope believes there is no "necessity" for the Whites to bring in another signing before the transfer window shuts on Monday evening.

Facundo Buonanotte's loan arrival from Brighton has been the only addition so far for Daniel Farke's side, but they have been linked with a late move for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.

"I wouldn't say there is a necessity for more business to be done before the end of the transfer window," Pope told the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.

"Based on trying to read Daniel Farke's body language and his rhetoric, I think he's pretty transparent. He likes the group and feels strongly about the group.

"The real potential deal is the Strand Larsen one which still feels not a complete stretch but a bit of a reach to me.

"If Leeds didn't spend £35m or £40m would I be worried? No, I don't think there's that many quality strikers around.

"He is one, even though what I've seen this season hasn't been great, and had enough evidence to show he would be worth spending a bit of money on.

"I can't think of too many others.

"If the squad stayed as this, I think Farke has enough to stay up. But, not bringing anyone in during January - that would cause headloss among a load of people watching and listening to this right now.

"I don't think that would be the end of the world, but I would like another loan in at least."

Listen to the full episode here

Explore all Leeds United content on BBC Sounds

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

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The rigidity of Daniel Farke's use of substitutions came back to bite again on Monday night in Liverpool as Leeds snatched a draw from victory against a lacklustre Everton side who were there for the taking.

It was massively frustrating to watch the Leeds manager take 40 minutes to react to David Moyes' half-time change in system. It is the German's one glaring and consistent fault – he is too slow and passive to react to opposition momentum when Leeds are leading.

This frustration is compounded because when United are trailing and Farke needs to affect the game, he has proved capable of making aggressive decisions that have worked brilliantly.

On a February night against Sunderland last year, Leeds were 1-0 down to their promotion rivals. Farke boldly took off Ao Tanaka and Illia Gruev and brought on Joe Rothwell and defender Pascal Struijk. Both substitutes combined twice to win the game.

While 2-0 down against Manchester City in November, Farke made a double substitution at half-time and switched Leeds' base formation in perhaps the boldest gamble of his career – a move that didn't affect that game's result but has transformed Leeds' season.

Farke is capable of calculated but aggressive moves to affect games, which is why it is so frustrating when he seemingly refuses to make changes when in the lead, in spite of a clear momentum shift.

Everton's changes at half-time had such a spectacular effect they demanded a reaction.

From enjoying the lion's share of the ball in the first half (53%) United's passing fell off a cliff in the second (31%). It was clear by the 60th minute that Leeds' players were tiring and Everton were building up so much momentum and belief that they would likely get an equaliser.

United are very difficult to beat, but to convert these draws to wins, Farke must be as bold when Leeds are winning, as he is when Leeds are losing.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

Tom Gayle
MOTD commentator

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Hot takes are commonplace in society. Thankfully hindsight is a wonderful thing. Back in October a publication ran with the headline '49ers wasted millions on Sebastiaan Bornauw investment, and it's backfiring for Leeds United.'

To give the article context, it was written nine games into the campaign, with Leeds' new defender still yet to make a Premier League appearance for the club.

An injury during pre-season, combined with manager Daniel Farke's then formational preference of a back four, featuring the experienced centre-half pairing of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk, surely contributed to the Belgian's lack of game time.

In the here and now Bornauw has started three of the last five Premier League fixtures. From what I saw from the commentary box on Merseyside on Monday, he's proving to be a shrewd addition.

His imposing 6ft 3in stature clearly fits in with a recruitment shift towards greater physicality. The 26-year-old has the technical ability to play both long and short when bringing the ball out from the back, and even more importantly, he can defend, as demonstrated by his standout moment being the block made to deny Iliman Ndiaye's goal bound effort.

As is so often the case a player's patience for minutes needs to be balanced alongside the prospect of inevitable injuries to his team-mates. With Jacob Bijol set to remain sidelined until late February, on the evidence seen so far, Bornauw has a real chance to cement his place in the starting eleven.

The latest Don't Go To Bed Just Yet is here and, after Leeds picked up a point on their first trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium, BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan and Adam Pope are joined by Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix to reflect on how the game went.

The team also chat about the Whites' league position as they battle to pull away from the relegation spots and what can be expected in the final week of the transfer window.

Listen to the full episode here

Explore all Leeds United content on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Everton and Leeds.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Chris: Once again, we only seem to be able to play for one half at home. It's as if the team have no belief in the new stadium. Bigger crowd, better acoustics seem to scare them. It would make a refreshing change to see the team play a whole game the way they played the second half. It's so frustrating for the supporters that they play better away from our new stadium. They need to start believing in themselves. Goodison has gone.

Jeff: A win against lower-placed Leeds would have put us on 35 points, three points below fourth placed Manchester United - a spot that qualifies us for next season's Champions League. But a win was never going to happen, as we played at home. A home that does not feel like home. We would be better off playing all our matches away. Better stadium names, better atmosphere, better results.

Martin: The first half was terrible - particularly Dwight McNeil - but the changes at half-time worked. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall filled a gap and with sharper play from Idrissa Gueye we could have got all three points.

Kevin: First half wasn't good enough, and we can't keep dropping back in home games to let the away side get a foothold. Second half was better. The three centre-backs made it easier to control the ball, but it also took away an extra player in Leeds' third of the pitch. We could have won if we'd been more aggressive. Two points dropped at home, so not good enough!

Leeds fans

Chris: After a promising first half, the second half was a hard watch. We had no response to the Everton changes and were on the back foot most of the last 45. Daniel Farke's changes were so late it barely gave us a chance to fight for the win. A game we should have definitely taken three points from.

Jonathan: I feel like Farke left it far too late to make the substitutions. It was clear from the start of the second half that something needed to change, so I'm not sure why it was left so late on. We should have won that game but nothing was done early enough to calm the tempo down and break their dominance in the second half.

Jeremy: Great first half because it was played at tempo - but then couldn't match the levels and faded when Everton responded. I like the boss but he HAS to realise that subs can be brought on before the last 10. We continue to fail to make substitutions in sufficient time for any impact.

Brendan: We're on a great run. We look like a Premier League side. But after a great first half, Farke completely failed to react in the second half when Everton took control. We should have won that but were lucky to get a point in the end.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United's improvement was underlined by the obvious disappointment of manager Daniel Farke that they only left Everton with a point.

Farke, whose position appeared under threat after struggling at the start of their return to the Premier League, has fashioned a significant improvement to make Leeds look at home in the top flight.

Leeds were so much better than Everton in the first 45 minutes that a single-goal lead was nowhere near a reflection of their superiority.

In the final reckoning, the key moment was when Dominic Calvert-Lewin struck the post with a relatively simple chance with Leeds one up and in control.

The result leaves Leeds six points clear of the relegation places. On the evidence of this display, and others recently, they should not be harbouring any serious relegation concerns.

Farke said: "It is a good result, to come away to Everton is tough. A bit disappointed as well though as we were not far off winning it. We perhaps could have buried the game with a second goal."

The manager was under serious pressure earlier in the season, but he remained calm and has worked superbly to make Leeds United look like a Premier League team.

Leeds may have lost to Manchester City at the end of November, but the manner in which they came from 2-0 down early on to only lose to a stoppage-time goal from Phil Foden set the platform for improvement.

Farke switched to 3-5-2 at half-time, introducing Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha. It was a performance, even in defeat, that made Leeds suddenly feel comfortable in their own skin.

Leeds have lost only one game in 11 since then, one in 10 in the league, to give them real optimism of survival.

They face Arsenal at Elland Road on Saturday, a tough task for the Premier League leaders, who looked a bag of nerves in the home loss to Manchester United on Sunday.

It is a fixture Farke and his players will relish.

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It's a tough place to go, especially without a few key players, and to come away with a point is a good result for us.

"We were a bit unlucky that, out of our dominance and chances created in the first half, we did not score the second goal. In the second half, it was clear that at some point Everton would show up and have some chances. We didn't allow too many. I'm a bit disappointed - we could have defended the goal situation sharper.

"I haven't checked the expected goals and shots against, but the gut feeling was that even in this moment we were the better side. There was not much missing at all to win this game.

"We were dominant, we were brave out of possession, defensively well structured and brave on the ball. It was not to be to win it but we take a point and move on."

On momentum: "It is a nice sign that we are moving one step closer to our goal. To come here and put in this performance is encouraging, but the job is not done yet. We have to keep going and need to win more points - and for that, it is important that we are competitive like this.

"In seasons you have ups and downs. We have momentum and we want to ride the momentum further."

• Hear more from Farke on BBC Sounds

On James Justin's performance and goal: "He embodies a lot of what we are about. Great team spirit, great character and great lad. Whenever, wherever I need him, he always delivers. I can count on him to be a reliable player and he is a top character. It's great we have him at Leeds United."

Leeds goalscorer Justin, speaking to Sky Sports: "We started the first half pretty well. We played quite well and went a goal up and had a few chances to make it more. They're a decent side and coming away to a place like this, they'll have their spells. We'll take a point.

"We had trust in the way we were playing and we had confidence coming into the game. It's ebbs and flows in football and you have to ride the wave when you can."

On his goal: "I got a bit of stick from one of the coaching staff because he said I arrive in the box too quickly, so I hung back. Glad to get on the scoresheet.

"It's a big step in the right direction for me. I've been playing recently and my body is feeling good."

What changed for Everton? "They brought on my mate Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall]. He was very good and finding space in the pocket. He was good when they brought him on - and the centre-half too [Jarrad Branthwaite]. That's the quality they have.

"We're not afraid to talk about our goal and that's to stay in the Premier League - no matter what. We want to keep putting points on the board."

Did you know?

• No side has lost fewer Premier League games since the start of December than Leeds United's one, while only Aston Villa (22), Manchester City (21), Arsenal (20), Manchester United and Fulham (both 17) have collected more points in that time than their 15.

• Justin has scored in two of his past three games, having netted against Derby County in the FA Cup - as many goals as in his previous 47 matches.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Leeds United's display?

Come back on Tuesday for a selection of your replies

Everton boss David Moyes has made two changes to the side that won 1-0 at Aston Villa last Sunday.

The injured Jack Grealish misses out and Merlin Rohl drops to the bench with Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye back from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Everton XI: Pickford, Patterson, Tarkowski, O'Brien, Mykolenko, Garner, Gueye, Armstrong, McNeil, Ndiaye, Barry.

Subs: Travers, Beto, Dibling, Dewsbury-Hall, Coleman, Alcaraz, Branthwaite, Rohl, Aznou.

Daniel Farke has also made two changes to the Leeds side that beat Fulham 1-0 last Saturday.

Noah Okafor drops to the bench and Gabriel Gudmundsson misses out with injury. In comes Anton Stach and Sebastiaan Bornauw.

Leeds XI: Darlow, Bogle, Ampadu, Struijk, Rodon, Bornauw, Justin, Gruev, Stach, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Perri, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Okafor, Tanaka, Byram, Gnonto, Buonanotte.

I'm definitely adding Everton to my list of teams who are impossible to predict. They've had some brilliant results this season, and some really disappointing ones too.

They will be without the injured Jack Grealish here but they were depleted against Villa last time out and they were brilliant in that game.

Thierno Barry took his goal ever so well for their winner. I know it was close in but it was still a lovely finish.

When you watch Barry closely, he is frustrating sometimes but he is a real nuisance and he is so good in the air. I was impressed by Harrison Armstrong and Merlin Rohl as well, and having Iliman Ndiaye back after winning the Afcon with Senegal will lift Everton too.

Leeds beat Everton 1-0 at Elland Road with a late penalty at the start of the season, and this game will be just as tight.

I was going to go for an Everton win by the same scoreline but then I thought about Dominic Calvert-Lewin coming back to his old club. He is bound to score, isn't he?

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Everton and Leeds United will both be out to put an end to their respective stuttering home and away records when they face each other at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night (20:00 GMT) in the Premier League.

The Blues have won just one of their last five top-flight fixtures at their new home, while Leeds have a solitary victory from their 11 Premier League games on the road since their promotion.

The fixture also contains a fascinating subplot, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to play against Everton for the first time since his summer exit. Following his switch to Elland Road, he has been one of the standout strikers in the league.

Everton will look to Garner after Grealish blow

Everton continued their excellent away form this season on Sunday as a depleted XI earned a 1-0 win at Aston Villa.

Less than 48 hours later, Everton's enthusiasm was sapped. The club confirmed Jack Grealish has suffered a foot injury, and reports suggest he is set to miss around three months of the campaign.

Given Grealish's creative talents – he ranks fifth in the Premier League for chances created this season – there will be a void for manager David Moyes to fill. Some of the burden could be taken on by Iliman Ndiaye, who is back from the Africa Cup of Nations along with Idrissa Gueye, as well as the potential return of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

But as those players get up to speed, it is likely the absence of Grealish will place more emphasis on James Garner. The former Manchester United man was excellent against Aston Villa and has been Everton's star performer this season.

In addition to the glimpses of attacking class he has showcased lately, Garner has made a massive defensive contribution with the tireless Gueye unavailable. His all-round improvement this year has been substantial and he has been rewarded with a new contract.

Image source, BBC Sport

Calvert-Lewin can offer a painful reminder

With some players and some clubs, things get to a point where a parting of the ways just makes sense. For Everton and Calvert-Lewin last summer, it felt as though that threshold had been reached.

After nine years on Merseyside, the striker walked out on a free transfer. Leeds took a chance given his fitness and form in recent years, and they have been handsomely rewarded.

The change of scenery has revitalised the striker. Already this season, he has nine goals in 20 Premier League matches, which is his best tally since the 16 he scored under Carlo Ancelotti at Everton in 2020–21; Everton forwards Thierno Barry and Beto have only six between them.

It will be intriguing to see who Moyes picks at the back to combat the threat of the club's former number nine, with Michael Keane suspended and Jarrad Branthwaite edging closer to full fitness.

Despite their problems at home, Everton have kept more clean sheets than any other Premier League side since the start of November.

Calvert-Lewin, given his newfound confidence, is unlikely to be daunted.

Image source, BBC Sport

The team at the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast have scrutinised Leeds' next fixture.

Hear from Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix on a fresh episode all about the trip to Everton here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves have rejected a bid from Leeds United for striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.

The offer fell well below Wolves' £40m asking price and came a number of days ago.

Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Crystal Palace have shown an interest in the player this month.

Wolves are also willing to let defender Emmanuel Agbadou leave Molineux and are in talks with Besiktas.

The Turkish side's latest offer is £13m, with Wolves looking for £17m for the Ivory Coast international who joined from Reims for £16.6m last January.

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson says the team "just need to keep going" because they are in a strong position to achieve their goal of Premier League survival.

Lukas Nmecha came off the bench to score a 91st-minute winner against Fulham last weekend, helping the Whites bounce back from their previous defeat at Newcastle.

And there were more positives to take from this victory for manager Daniel Farke, who witnessed his side keep a clean sheet on home soil for the first time since their first two home games of the season.

"We know the quality of this group and the coaching staff," said Gudmundsson to BBC Radio Leeds. "There's eight points between us and West Ham, but if we add eight points to our tally then we climb to about ninth position.

"The goal for this season is to just stay up so I don't mind how far we are above the relegation zone.

"We just need to keep going and showing our physical quality and recently we have shown our quality with scoring goals and not conceding too."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Leeds and Sunderland are both set to miss out on a move for Norwich City striker Josh Sargent. The 25-year-old USA international is keen on a move back to Major League Soccer with Toronto FC his preferred option. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Flora Snelson
BBC Sport journalist

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 20:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There is "a little question mark" over Gabi Gudmundsson, who missed training on Thursday with an adductor issue. Anton Stach could be available, while Dan James is "pretty, pretty close". Both have been "part integrated" into team training with no problems, though it may take time for the latter to get up to speed having been out for two months.

• Jaka Bijol is improving and could be back in team training in two to three weeks.

• On David Moyes' Everton: "You always see his handwriting on his teams. A really good team spirit and togetherness, very compact against the ball. It is never easy to open one of David's teams and create chances."

• Regarding January business, Farke is keen to "keep the group tight" unless the right opportunity comes along: "We'll be awake to give ourselves the best possible squad for the run-in, but we will only do something if we are 100% convinced that it is the right player."

• On having an edge when you don't have the league's best players: "You need a good spirit - particularly when you don't have the best individual quality in the league. We prove this on a daily basis. As a newly-promoted side, we have to go over the line on our physical output."

• On Facundo Buonanotte: "I'm not tempted to praise him too much otherwise he will think he is already Lionel Messi. I back him, he gets lots of trust, he will feel our support, belief, love - but it's up to him to prove that he can earn his spot, his minutes."

• On the psychological benefit of the survival gap: "We always play with freedom but this doesn't take the pressure away at any point. It's not a free hit playing away or against big teams - we want to win every game."

• On scoring freely: "It's proof of our DNA, that we will never be happy just to park the bus. We always want to be the protagonist and be proactive and score goals, home or away."

• On Jack Harrison and the potential for more loan departures: "If a player is as professional as Jack, I'm open to listen to him. If a player tries to provoke something by being difficult, I will never sanction a loan."

• He highlighted how Noah Okafor deserved "95%" of the credit for Dominic Calvert-Lewin's goal against Chelsea: "There is space for improvement [for Okafor]. He has to deliver otherwise there are others in the squad."

• On Ethan Ampadu: "He is the glue between offence and defence, a role model who embodies what Leeds is about. His performances are more or less Rolls Royce performances over the last couple of years. Long may it continue."

• On Lucas Perri's chance of reclaiming his spot: "There is always room for improvement, but the major stuff was spot on [by Karl Darlow, who got a clean sheet against Fulham] and for that, there is no need to question him at all."

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

From the Premier League's elite to the soggy pitches of Sunday league, injuries are part and parcel of football - but which top-flight teams have been worst affected so far this season?

With help from injury expert Ben Dinnery, of premierinjuries.com,, external BBC Sport has examined which sides have been hit the hardest, the impact injuries can have on under-fire managers - and whether things are always as bad as they seem.

• Read more detail on how clubs have been affected by injuries here