Leeds United

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Leeds United's Welsh duo Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon believe there is a "great balance" between them, which helps them work so well together.

Captain Amapdu joined the Whites from Chelsea in 2023 and Rodon also came to the club in the 2023-24 season, initially on loan before signing permanently in the summer of 2024.

Asked about what he admired most about Rodon, Ampadu told BBC Radio Leeds: "Work ethic. Professionalism. How hard he wants to work, not just for the team but for himself.

"That combination of wanting to make himself better, wanting the team to be at their best, he knows and we know the standards that this team can deliver at and when it's not, then it's not right. Joe is a big driver in making sure that our standards are there. His performances and how he's growing is evidence to that.

"He's starting to show everyone what he can really do. I've basically been with him every single day for the past three years - not even including work [together] before that - so I have been lucky to see closely just how hard he works and his mental drive."

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Team-mates in the Wales side, both have once again been called up to represent their nation in the upcoming internationals this month.

Discussing Ampadu's captaincy, Rodon said: "[He is] driving the standards. Just constantly being available and just never letting anything slip - constantly, every day.

"Like you saw last year [in the Championship], it was so gruelling mentally and physically, but he was constantly driving the team and lifting the team spirit all the time.

"We find he's always got the calm head. He's told me off a few times with that, but no, I think credit to him and him being captain. He's like the butterfly of the dress and everyone loves him

"I'll go to him [with things] and there's a great balance there with us two. It works well."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Leeds, Everton, Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the other clubs interested in 20-year-old Manchester United and England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. (Caught Offside), external

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

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With the countdown to the Celebrity Traitors final under way, we asked you which Leeds player or manager - past or present - would make the best traitor and faithful.

Here are some of your comments:

Eric: Joe Rodon could actually be nominated for both - traitor for his runs and headers in the box from set-pieces, and faithful for his generally stalwart defensive abilities. However, if he cannot be awarded both titles then Ao Tanaka for traitor, with his covert runs on the back post from set-pieces, often catching defenders out as they concentrate on the usual suspects.

Mark: Obviously the biggest traitor ever to play for Leeds was Eric Cantona for going to Manchester United. Dan James is very loyal.

Vinny: Traitor - Alan Smith. Faithful - Luke Ayling.

Joe: The biggest traitor is a tie between Thomas Brolin and Harry Kewell. For loyalty, Jack Charlton, Gary Kelly, Billy Bremner and the Gray dynasty.

You can watch the final of The Celebrity Traitors live from 21:00 GMT on BBC iPlayer

Leeds face a battle to retain the services of English goalkeeper Alex Baird, 18, beyond January with a host of clubs interested. (Caught Offside), external

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Challenges. Leaders and followers. Tactics. Second guessing and wondering where to turn next.

This could be any game of football in the Premier League this weekend.

It is also the plot to any episode of BBC's hit show - The Traitors.

The countdown to the end game of the Celebrity series is on, but, while we wait for that, we want to know which Leeds player (or manager) - past or present - you think would make the best traitor, and who would be more suited to the role of a faithful.

Was it the way they could appear at the back post without anyone noticing? Or could they stop anybody getting past them?

Get in touch with your choices and the reasons why here

The Celebrity Traitors final will air on Thursday, 6 November on BBC One and iPlayer

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

How much difference can a point make at this stage of the season?

Potentially, quite a lot. Particularly so for those promoted sides trying to keep themselves in the Premier League for another year.

In the past 10 seasons, clubs who have come up from the Championship have a 100% record of staying up if they have gathered 11 points or more after 10 games.

The most recent occasion that a promoted side had 11 or more points after that number of matches and was relegated was Cardiff in 2013-14. They were 12th with 12 points after 10 games but ultimately finished bottom with 30 points.

This will be music to the ears of fans of Leeds United and Sunderland, with the Whites currently sitting on that magic number and four points clear of the relegation zone, despite a heavy defeat at Brighton on Saturday.

The Black Cats, in fact, might even find themselves already looking up rather than down after their flying start to life back in the top flight.

Regis le Bris' side currently find themselves fourth, separated from Liverpool in third by just goal difference.

With 18 points, Sunderland would have to make unwanted history to find themselves back in the Championship by becoming the first team to be relegated after picking up that number of points after 10 games.

Although it was unlikely against the league leaders, fellow promoted side Burnley could have also reached the 11-point mark if they had managed to take something against Arsenal on Saturday, but defeat has left them on the edge of that with 10 points.

Chances of survival drop quite drastically for teams below the 11-point threshold, with just 20% of sides on eight to 10 points after 10 games staying up since 2015-16.

With promoted clubs having struggled to break the Premier League mould in recent campaigns, can this season's trio turn that tide? It is a promising start.

Stats and graphics provided by BBC Sport statistician Chris Collinson

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

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The highlights reel for Leeds United's 'goal of the month' for October was short – two tap-ins and a header. It did not get the pulse racing.

Although there were only three games last month, a pattern is starting to emerge: Leeds' attack, in its current form, is not good enough.

This topsy-turvy start to the season has seen decent performances against Spurs and Burnley end in losses; while a worryingly poor outing against West Ham resulted in a win.

Our recent form hit rock-bottom away at Brighton last weekend.

When United don't create chances they look a division apart from the rest of the Premier League. When they do create chances their inefficiency in front of goal has frustrated.

And the easier games are gone. Leeds' upcoming fixtures are mired with potential losses.

Forest away looks the easiest of a resurgent Villa, followed by games against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Brentford away is tricky – Leeds don't travel well to London; then comes FA Cup holders Palace, Sunderland away – a nightmare, then Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle at St. James' Park.

It is not inconceivable Leeds could go without another victory until maybe January 17 when they play Fulham at home – no game is a guaranteed win, but that fixture looks easier.

But Leeds will need to find victories from somewhere.

This is a test, not just for the playing side, but also for the owners 49ers Enterprises. Their ponderous acquisition of Rangers in the summer hasn't started well, with the sacking of Russell Martin after only four months in charge.

If Leeds go on a run of defeats over this tricky Christmas period, will they sack or back Daniel Farke in January?

This crunch period will be the biggest test so far for Farke and the 49ers; and how they handle it will define Leeds' season.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

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We asked for your memories of 4 November, 2000 - the day Mark Viduka scored all four Leeds goals in a 4-3 win over Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: I remember the game very well, even though I didn't watch it live! I was away in Arizona for a work meeting and decided to stay on over the weekend to explore. I was driving through Saguaro National Park in a hired convertible listening to the game on the World Service. Couldn't believe what I was hearing! It was an absolutely fabulous day!

Andrew: This game holds a very special place in my heart, not just because of Viduka's four-goal heroics but also because it was the first ever football match I took my son to, aged six. "That was great, Dad," he said at the end of the match. "The shooter man for Leeds is really really good !" I couldn't have put it better myself! Thanks for an awesome memory, Mark Viduka!

Eamonn: I'd invited a friend and his grandson over from Norway to that game. At half-time I apologised to them for our sad performance. As the game went on and Viduka hit the back of the net, with each touch the guests became more and more excited. At the end, the grandson was dancing and his grandad was taking their once-in-a-lifetime experience bubbling back to Norway. I sent them the match video as a souvenir. Another couple of Leeds fans confirmed in Porsgrunn. Wonderful day!

Brian: Apart from my son's birth, this was the greatest moment in my life. Mark Viduka scoring four goals against Liverpool was just amazing.

Matthew: I was at the game and it was really quite remarkable - the atmosphere and the comeback. After 10 minutes I thought Liverpool were going to get a cricket score, but it was one of the best ever performances I've seen live.

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That 4-3 victory 25 years ago today was incredible.

I remember going with clients when I worked at TEAMtalk on a bitterly cold November Saturday. It looked all over for Leeds as Liverpool went 2-0 up but Mark Viduka took centre stage as if he was an emperor. His physicality combined with deftness of touch and lethal finishing provided one of the best display I've ever seen by a centre forward in a single game.

I have since interviewed Andrew Varley, who is the photographer responsible for the iconic picture of Viduka celebrating with the scoreboard saying 4-3 in the background. It was a moment a hero was captured on film after single-handedly destroying Liverpool who had won five in a row coming into the fixture.

Their collapse was spectacular but if I'm asked for my stand out Premier League moments then Viduka's display is right up there.

In terms of working with Viduka, he had left the club before I started covering Leeds United full time but I do recall him not wanting to do an interview after a testimonial match for Cambridge United striker John Taylor in November 2003 when he was brought back into the team by caretaker manager Eddie Gray having fallen out with previous boss Peter Reid.

That season ended in relegation from the Premier League and I recall being at Bolton Wanderers when Leeds were effectively relegated. Viduka scored a penalty and was then sent off before half time as United went on to lose 4-1. This was a year after his magnificent goal at Arsenal helped Leeds stay in the top flight. He was top drawer and I remember Eddie Gray saying that contrary to many people's perceptions Viduka was "ripped" in terms of his body shape. In the end he was part of the fire sale that saw him go to Middlesbrough as Leeds plummeted towards financial meltdown.

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Mark Viduka found the net four times against Liverpool on this day 25 years ago but the Australian striker proved his biggest critic in the years that followed, explaining it was a day when he wasn't at his best.

The bustling centre-forward has received widespread plaudits from key names in the years since his playing career ended. Former Leeds and Manchester United striker Alan Smith described his skill as "frightening" for a big man. Former Leeds left-back Ian Harte cites Viduka and Harry Kewell as the best two players he ever played alongside.

But Viduka's toying with Liverpool in the winter sun was surely his peak moment as he led the Reds' defence a merry dance, dragged Leeds back from 2-0 down and sealed an iconic 4-3 win.

"That was a huge game for me and also at the time for the club because we were up there, third or fourth and Liverpool just in front of us," Viduka said.

"We are 2-0 down and Jonathan Woodgate gets taken off with injury. Nobody would have thought of that result in the end. It shows you have to stick to it and keep battling.

"When I look at myself I am not really a perfectionist at anything except for on the field. When I look at my performance I want to be holding the ball up well, bringing others into the play and obviously scoring gals. In that game, the other things I did average, but I got four chances and put them away."

Dominic Matteo featured in the Leeds defence on the day and had a simple message for Viduka when the final whistle confirmed their win - "thanks".

Matteo said: "People at times, and we're talking top defenders, didn't want to get too tight because they knew Viduka could turn them. We saw that in the 4-3 game when he made something out of nothing.

"I actually said 'thanks' for getting us out of one. It was only going one way that game apart from Mark. He just turned it himself.

"I am glad he got that. In life you don't get those moments. The worldwide audience, everyone saw that performance. That was iconic for me."

Send us your memories of the day Viduka hit four

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Tuesday is the 25th anniversary of one of the most memorable Premier League matches involving Leeds United - when Mark Viduka scored all four goals in an amazing 4-3 victory against Liverpool at Elland Road.

Manchester United were still the dominant force of English football at that time, but David O'Leary's Leeds and Gerard Houllier's Liverpool were competing near the top of the table. The previous season, they had finished third and fourth respectively.

BBC Sport's report of the match on 4 November, 2000, says Australia striker Viduka "single-handedly destroyed Liverpool with a four-goal blast in an encounter of stunning drama" and "delivered a display of almost flawless marksmanship".

"Every time I had a sniff of goal I scored, but I have actually played better," said Viduka. "These days are very rare, but it was a fantastic win for us."

Liverpool had gone 2-0 up early on with goals from Sami Hyypia and Christian Ziege, but Viduka scored either side of half-time to level the score.

Vladimir Smicer restored Liverpool's advantage, before two goals in three minutes from former Celtic forward Viduka secured an incredible win for the hosts.

"We got lucky, but I always felt we could score against them," said Leeds boss O'Leary. "I loved beating Liverpool as a player - and I like it as a manager."

Leeds would also win at Anfield to complete a league double later in the season, but Liverpool would eventually pip the Yorkshire club to third spot in the league by one point - earning the Reds a place in the following season's Champions League.

On this week's Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix has been reflecting on a fan's question about Leeds United's approach to away games after defeat by Brighton on Saturday:

"I thought Leeds were shocked for some reason in the way that Brighton were pressing them and some of the quality on the ball.

"I think Leeds looked a little bit like after an international break when everyone looks a bit rusty. OK, they played the Friday before so it was a little bit more time, but not million years ago so it did feel they started off a little bit respectful of Brighton.

"But more than that - and I don't know the answer to this - with Daniel Farke, I don't know if it is different personnel or a different system, but it is about playing home and away slightly differently.

"At home we are going to try and win some games, or to try and draw some games depending on the opposition, but then away maybe we are trying to play for a draw.

"I don't mind going to Brighton and trying to get a draw, but against West Ham, in a podcast beforehand we said we need to get out there fast, start with the attacking players and get a goal, get two goals and see it out – which is what we did.

"But away, if we are going to try and do what I think Farke is doing, which is contain it for as long as possible, then maybe he does need to start Jack Harrison.

"I think the whole internet might have exploded if he had started with Harrison and then not Brenden Aaronson, but then maybe you are going in there and going and saying for the first x amount of minutes we are just going to sit and defend and defend – but defend better – then we will start being more expansive."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brighton and Leeds United.

Here are some of your replies:

Brighton fans

Stuart: All the stats indicated a typical Dr Brighton result. An early goal helped settle the nerves and ultimately we were never troubled. Leeds were poor and our players stepped up. Ferdi Kadioglu and Yasin Ayari were the stars. Also a big shout to the youngsters on their debuts. It's all very positive for the future.

Sarah: Fantastic game! With the exception of the 20 minute lull at the beginning and losing possession a bit too easily in midfield, we were strong and functioning as a team again. Danny Welbeck is on a brilliant roll, Diego Gomez got his first Premier League goal in style and sealed it with another corker, plus Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer got assists. I'm really pleased to see Lewis Dunk doing so well again, especially after some suggested he should move over. There's a lot of life in him yet; he is a proper solid defender.

Dean: Good to see the Albion finish off a team in the bottom half of the league, as this had been a persistent problem for us. Welbeck on a free transfer from Watford has turned out to be a masterstroke.

Tim: Following from a hotel room in Turkey, it sounded like a far from perfect performance that we should've put to bed by half-time. We march on with three precious points and a spot back in the top half! If we can get Kaoru Mitoma, Jack Hinshelwood, Joel Veltman and Brajan Gruda back from injury, I think we'll be in a great place by this season's halfway point.

Leeds fans

Chris: Absolutely useless. They had no fire in their bellies. The front six were at another game. We were too slow in both movement and passing. Daniel Farke has to change his tactics for away games because we are not good enough to defend against quick attacking teams.

Kenneth: Poorest performance of the season so far, with too many players below par. Some are not good enough for Premier League football, Jayden Bogle and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to name just two. It's really coming back to bite us not buying a proven goalscorer.

Dave: Farke is living on borrowed time. The tactics and teamsheet were a disgrace. We were very poor.

Thomas: We have to be realistic and realise that it is so much harder to win games in the Premier League, especially away from home. The formation away from home is obviously not working so maybe a change would help. But, like all teams in Leeds' situation coming up from the Championship, it is a case of avoiding relegation. A long hard season in prospect.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been speaking to Sky Sports about the defeat at Amex Stadium: "Brighton were the better side and deserved to win. You can talk about the 50/50 possession for both teams and about the fact we had more corner kicks, but you have to be honest and say that, out of their possession, they created more chances and were more clinical. For that, they deserved to win.

"As a team and individually, it was not our best game offensively. We weren't able to create more in an away game where we had a lot of possession. We created more corner kicks and wide area free-kicks, but the quality of the deliveries were not great.

"It happens sometimes that the attack doesn't have the best of days. It's frustrating. Sometimes it happens that the other side is just better. It was definitely not our day and we have to accept the defeat."

• Listen to Farke speak to BBC Radio Leeds

On facing Nottingham Forest next: "Each and every game delivers an opportunity. There are 38 games and we have to win one point on average each game to stay in this league.

"We have to prepare ourselves in the best possible way, so that will be what we'll try to do away at Nottingham."

Did you know?

• In just 10 Premier League games, Leeds United have already lost more games (5) than they did in the entirety of their 2024-25 Championship title-winning campaign (4 losses in 46 games). They have also shipped 57% of the total goals they did last season (30) already in 2025-26 (17).

Sam Ashoo
Final Score reporter

A lot of the talk in the build-up to Brighton-Leeds was about Georginio Rutter.

The forward was a fan favourite at Leeds before joining Brighton for £40m in January 2023 and makes no secret of his affection for his former club. In fact, he even owns a racehorse named BriLee, a nod to both Brighton and Leeds.

There was, however, no horsing around on Saturday. Rutter played the 10 role perfectly, breaking lines, dropping deep when needed and creating extra space for Danny Welbeck and Diego Gomez. His assist for Gomez's second goal capped off an excellent performance, driving into the box and offering a perfect cutback.

The Frenchman described the occasion as "special" and it was nice to see many of the 3,000 travelling Leeds fans applaud him after the game.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

• Nottingham Forest 2-2 Manchester United

• Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

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When Leeds United manager Daniel Farke named an unchanged starting line-up against Brighton, he would have hoped for a similar result as the one his side delivered against West Ham last week.

But the Leeds on display at the Amex on Saturday were a completely different version from the one that emerged winners against the Hammers but it was one that we have seen far too often on their away trips this season.

While Leeds have only lost once in five matches at Elland Road in the Premier League so far this season, the 3-0 defeat to Brighton were their fourth defeat in five away matches.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the line alongside Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson but the former Everton striker cut an isolated figure up front while the supporting cast also failed to make any impact.

Farke's men registered just two shots on target in five attempts - compared to Brighton's seven on target from 14 - and only generated an expected goals (xG) figure of 0.46.

Farke would want to make his team tick in away trips sooner rather than later if Leeds are to avoid a relegation scrap this season.

And a visit to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest, who are five points behind and in the relegation zone, next Sunday would give them an immediate opportunity to make amends.

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

Have your say on Brighton's performance

What did you make of Leeds' display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has made one change to the side that suffered a 4-2 defeat at Manchester United last Saturday.

Diego Gomez returns to the starting line-up, after being used as a substitute in the past two games, as Maxim De Cuyper drops to the bench.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Hecke, Wieffer, Rutter, Minteh, Baleba, Wellbeck, Kadioglu, Gomez, Ayari

Substitutes: Steele, Tzimas, Watson, Kostoulas, Boscagli, De Cuyper, Coppola, Knight, Oriola

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has named an unchanged starting line-up following their 2-1 win against West Ham last weekend.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads the line alongside Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson while captain Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff make up their midfield

Leeds XI: Perri, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Rodon, Longstaff, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson, Bijol, Okafor, Tanaka

Substitutes: Darlow, Struijk, James, Piroe, Nmecha, Stach, Harrison, Justin, Gruev

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Leeds

• Burnley v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Brentford

• Fulham v Wolves

• Nottingham Forest v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Chelsea (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Burnley v Arsenal" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Chelsea", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Leeds have made a great start and I am pleased for Daniel Farke.

He took a lot of stick when he was at Norwich, when I kept hearing how he wasn't a Premier League manager, but apart from their heavy defeat at leaders Arsenal, his side have been competitive in all of their games so far.

I am still going with a Brighton win here, though.

The Seagulls did not play well when they lost at Manchester United last weekend, then went out of the Carabao Cup at the hands of the Gunners on Wednesday, but they are unbeaten at home so far and I am expecting them to bounce back.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

An inconsistent Brighton host promoted Leeds on the south coast this Saturday. BBC Sport explores some of the key themes surrounding this fixture.

Evergreen Milner to face first side

Brighton will certainly welcome a return home after a loss at Old Trafford last Saturday and a League Cup defeat at the Emirates on Wednesday.

Fabian Hurzeler's side are on an eight-match unbeaten run at the Amex Stadium in the top flight, with four wins and four draws.

They have also kept a clean sheet in their past seven home league games against visitors Leeds, their longest run without conceding against a single opponent in the club's history.

Brighton's James Milner was born and bred in Leeds and made his top-flight debut for the Elland Road club in November 2002 when he was just 16.

Now 39, the evergreen utility player is still contributing at the highest level and his assist for 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas's goal against Manchester United set two unique Premier League records.

Not only was it the biggest gap in age between a player setting up a team-mate – a whopping 21 years and 146 days – but it was the first time in Premier League history that a player assisted another after making their debut in the competition before the scorer was born.

Milner is also nine games away from setting a new Premier League appearance record. If he were to feature on Saturday he would sit just seven matches behind Gareth Barry's total of 653. If he plays at Elland Road in the reverse fixture in May, the chances are he will already have broken it.

Positive start for Leeds

Leeds head to the south coast seeking to register consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since November 2022.

They've lost three of their four away trips so far this season but their sole victory at Wolves in September means they've already gone one better than Howard Wilkinson's team during the inaugural Premier League campaign in 1992-93. That side failed to win any of their 21 games on the road during a 42-game season but still finished two points above the relegation zone in 17th.

The positive start that Daniel Farke's side have made has gone somewhat under the radar due to Sunderland's charge towards the top of the division. But recent history suggests that his team is doing enough, as every promoted side in the last 10 seasons with 11 points or more after 10 games has survived. Leeds have amassed 11 points from their first nine matches.

The last promoted side to have at least 11 points after 10 games and be relegated was Cardiff City in 2013-14 – the Bluebirds mustered 12 points from their first 10 fixtures but finished the season bottom with 30 points after taking a meagre 18 from their remaining 28 matches.

A similar fate could still befall Leeds and, when asked about his side's return from their opening nine games, Leeds boss Farke said they deserved far more. "We should be on 15 to 17 points already," he said in his pre-match press conference. "We're on a good path, but survival isn't a guarantee. We need around nine or 10 wins to stay up."