Leeds United will be looking to re-assert their dominance at the top of the Championship table with a win at Fratton Park on Sunday, after both Sheffield United and Burnley won three points on Saturday.
Burnley cruised to a 4-0 win over Luton Town, with The Hatters struggling at the foot of the table despite only just being relegated from the Premier League. Sheffield United scraped past Preston with a 1-0 win.
Those results see Burnley go two points away from Leeds while Sheffield United are now level with Daniel Farke’s side, albeit Leeds have a much-better goal difference. Leeds can stretch their lead on Sunday.
John Mousinho’s side are excellent at home and Farke has never actually beaten Portsmouth during his managerial career. But, Leeds will be favourites and now, Elland Road icon Dom Matteo has had his say.
Dom Matteo predicts whether Leeds will beat Portsmouth
Matteo says that Leeds will go and secure three points away at Fratton Park but has urged Farke’s side to remain vigilant against a side that have lost four games in 17 Championship matches on their own patch.
“The first goal in these types of games are massive and it forces the opponent to open up. I’m not too worried about it, but we’ve got to be a bit careful because of the Fratton Park atmosphere,” he told LUTV.
“I fancy us to go and win the game, give them the respect that they deserve – but not too much respect. I’ve always said, win more personal battles you win the game. I’m going to go for 2-1, Leeds United.”
Daniel Farke’s selection headaches ahead of Portsmouth clash
Brenden Aaronson’s form has become a concern. The USA star has now gone a series of matches without having any kind of impact and Farke is beginning to take him off the pitch, earlier and earlier.
The issue is that there is a lack of competition for Aaronson in attacking midfield. But Farke does have two options – he can start Mateo Joseph and drop Joel Piroe back,or hand Wilfried Gnonto a no.10 start.
Elsewhere, it will be interesting to see who partners Ao Tanaka in midfield. Aidan White thinks Ilia Gruev will be overlooked for Joe Rothwell, but Leeds have more points per game when Rothwell doesn’t start.
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