Swansea City v Leeds Utd - MATCH THREAD

[Ellandback1]

Swansea City v Leeds Utd

Sunday 12th July at 13.30pm | Liberty Stadium


Leeds make the 275 mile trip to the Liberty Stadium on Sunday lunchtime hoping they can replicate the form of midweek. The Whites currently sit top of the Championship, clear of the Baggies on goal difference and three points clear of Brentford. The Bee's significant goal difference means Bielsa's men need seven points from their remaining four games to win Promotion back to the Premiership after sixteen years of hurt.

Bielsa will be hoping that Leeds trip to Wales will be more rewarding than their last one. A fortnight ago, the Whites were the visitors to Swansea's bitter rivals Cardiff City where they lost, even though they dominated for large periods of the game. Back to back victories for the Swans against Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham have lifted Steve Cooper's men within a point of sixth place Cardiff City. With the Bluebirds facing a tricky tie at Fulham on Friday evening, Swansea will be desperate to get something out of Sundays game to boost their playoff hopes.

Bielsa must decide whether to stick to the same starting XI that destroyed Stoke City midweek, or bring in some new faces to keep the squad fresh. Pablo Hernandez faces his old team whilst Leeds face former loanee Matt Grimes and last Summer targets Rhian Brewster and Freddie Woodman who are on loan at the Liberty Stadium from Liverpool and Newcastle respectively. There are no new injury worries for the Whites whilst Swansea will once again be without Ben Wilmot and Joe Rodon, although Jordon Garrick is available again after serving a three-match suspension.

When the two teams met way back in August the Swans headed back to South Wales with all three points after Wayne Routledge's late goal secured a sensational victory at Elland Road. Routledge struck in the 90th minute to maintain Swansea's unbeaten start under Steve Cooper and inflict Leeds' first defeat of the season. Marcelo Bielsa's side dominated but their finishing let them down. Leeds will be hoping for a reverse in fortunes this weekend which a chance to put some clear air between themselves and second place West Brom following their draw with Blackburn on Saturday.


Leeds Starting XI
Meslier, Ayling, White, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Harrison, Costa, Roberts, Bamford

Subs: Miazek, Berardi, Douglas, Struijk, Bogusz, Shackleton, Alioski, Poveda, Hernandez

[Ellandback1]

It would be nice if Derby can do us a favour on Saturday and beat Brentford.

Fulham have beaten Cardiff so a win for Derby would bring them level with the Bluebirds in 6th place.

[BGwhite]

Can't see us getting any favours from here in. Only wba and/or Fulham will drop pts because they play each other. If we need help from the position we're in we won't deserve to go up.

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[Irish Ian]

Can't see us getting any favours from here in. Only wba and/or Fulham will drop pts because they play each other. If we need help from the position we're in we won't deserve to go up.

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Yep

Lets own this promotion race from now on.

[HarryofOz]

Swansea seriously in the battle for a play-off spot. They will go for a win rather than just sitting back, which will suit us.

[Byebyegeegee]

A win at Swansea would be fantastic but because, on paper, it is the hardest game we have left and given that we can still afford a loss and a draw I think a draw would be acceptable. I know Bielsa would never go out to get a draw but if they score 1st....
Then we can save the loss for the last game of the season when we are safely promoted and give one of our old favourites, Lee Bowyer, a helping hand

[Peter in Blackpool]

What a crucial game for both sides....yet incredibly sky sports have dropped the game in favour of birimingham v stoke.....beggars belief

[Irish Ian]

Expect a 5 - 3 - 2 from Swansea tomorrow.

[mothbanquet]

We owe them for earlier in the season, but Swansea have tripped us up before and not just this season. They've also had a couple of wins under their belt going into this one.

That said, we're a better team now than the last time we faced off, and they're not. Our lads are playing for the title, not just for the autos. If we win this, I'm going out to buy the champagne and stick it in the fridge. Maybe it'll be needed for another reason yet but I reckon a 3-1 win to us, and cork-popping on standby.

[Ratscoot]

A big win for Big Jack

[BGwhite]

We owe them for earlier in the season, but Swansea have tripped us up before and not just this season. They've also had a couple of wins under their belt going into this one.

That said, we're a better team now than the last time we faced off, and they're not. Our lads are playing for the title, not just for the autos. If we win this, I'm going out to buy the champagne and stick it in the fridge. Maybe it'll be needed for another reason yet but I reckon a 3-1 win to us, and cork-popping on standby.

Now now moth, counting chickens & all that

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[1964white]

Nice to see a Jack Charlton tribute topic on Seansea's Planet Swans forum

[mothbanquet]

Now now moth, counting chickens & all that

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It'll come in handy one way or another, mate.

[Leeds1000]

I would bite your hand off for a dull 1-0, but i don't think it will be. Swansea will be a completely different proposition to a poor and devoid of inspiration Stoke. Swansea will take it to us and give us more to think about defensively.

The lads are back in their stride and the confidence is flowing again. Every reason to think we can get a result.

[rab_rant]

So we beat Rovers 3-1 and with a little bit of luck Rovers could have beaten WBA 3-1
But it ended as a 1-1 draw. With WBA still to play Fulham I think they are going to fade and
falter and Brentford may snap up second place... a sort of consolation prize because Leeds
with their present form will steamroller their way to the top of the league as champions.

Did you see Bilic wrestle the Rovers player for the ball when it went into touch, and got a yellow
card for his troubles. It was so undignified and shows something of his frazzled mental state.
If the manager looses it, then the players are sure to follow.

I could never imagine Marcello behaving in such an uncouth and agitated manner. His response
to pressure is to squat down and contemplate the greeness of the grass, and when viewing the neatness
of it, will ponder how he can pay a compliment to the groundsman, during his upcoming press conference
after Leeds have racked up another victory.

[mav]

I will forgo my usual 3 - 1 Leeds win and predict a 9 - 2 to the Lids.

[onemoreslogan]

I could never imagine Marcello behaving in such an uncouth and agitated manner. His response
to pressure is to squat down and contemplate the greeness of the grass, and when viewing the neatness
of it, will ponder how he can pay a compliment to the groundsman, during his upcoming press conference
after Leeds have racked up another victory.

Good stuff Rab!

Not much help with the chasers today. We simply have to help ourselves. Focus and win. Focus and win boys.

[rrfierce]

I'm going 1-1

Brewster and bamford

[mothbanquet]

I'm going 1-1

Brewster and bamford

Brewster's an impressive talent, to be sure but inexperienced. I think we'll have his number.

[rrfierce]

Brewster's an impressive talent, to be sure but inexperienced. I think we'll have his number.

Hope so! He always seems to score at the moment