Leeds United face a long haul trip down to Portsmouth this weekend, for a game against a struggling Pompey side.
Leeds United and Portsmouth certainly have a lot in common; two teams who’ve been in the top flight this Century and who’ve dropped right down to League One too. In Pompey’s case it was as far as League Two.
This season though, it’s opposite ends of the Championship table for Leeds and Portsmouth. Leeds drew 1-1 with West Brom last time out but maintain a three point lead at the top, whilst John Mousinho’s side are in 17th and now eight points above the drop zone, after a run of three-straight wins before defeat at Luton Town last time out.
It’s all to play for for Portsmouth following their promotion from League One last time round. But their fans are embroiled in something of a debate ahead of Leeds.
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Portsmouth fans divided over whether they should rest players vs Leeds United
With Leeds massively fancied to win at Fratton Park on Sunday, many Pompey loyals think manager John Mousinho should rest some of his key players, with crunch matches against Plymouth Argyle and Preston to follow.
“Probably an unpopular opinion but I’d rest some key names v Leeds,” said one Pompey fan, as another added: “Got nothing against Mousinho resting players against Leeds, we’re not expecting a result. As long as whoever is picked puts up a fight I don’t care about the result. Preston and Plymouth are way more important games.”
Another similar comment read: “It doesn’t make you a bad person if you think we should rest players or not for the Leeds game. Both outlooks have their positives and negatives. Resting players has worked and hasn’t worked this season.”
One fan weighed in with: “Even at our best, with two solid centre-backs, Murphy, Lang etc, getting a result is unlikely. We beat Plymouth at home, we are safe in my eyes. That’s where all our attention should be. “
But others disagree. One Pompey fan posted: “Don’t get all this let’s rest against Leeds. Absolutely not. The same Leeds we should have beat away with a weaker squad?
“Seeing the same people who were confused to why Mousinho made changes on away fixtures saying we should be making changes for Leeds as it’s ’not winnable’. Seriously baffling fanbase.”
Another agreed, saying: “Shouldn’t we be going into games with a winning mindset! Why am I seeing Pompey fans saying we need to rest players against Leeds! Every point matters from now until the end of then season!”
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What happened the last time Leeds United played Portsmouth?
Leeds hosted Pompey on the opening day of this season, drawing 3-3 at Elland Road in what was a thrilling opener for the neutral, less so for Leeds fans.
The Whites snatched a 95th minute point through Brenden Aaronson that day, hence why some Pompey fans in the above comments refer to the previous game that they should’ve won.
For Mousinho, he’ll take a lot of confidence from that previous meeting, and with his side in form and at home he may well fancy his chances.
On the other hand, Leeds are much more formidable this time round. They’re blowing teams away and coming from behind to beat promotion rivals so Pompey will certainly expect a different challenge.
Indeed, team selection from both sides on he day could surprise a few people.
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