Matt Grimes has shared his thoughts on former club Leeds United ahead of facing them with Swansea City.
Grimes endured a torrid loan spell at Elland Road during the 2016/17 season but has since gone onto become an extremely important player at Swansea, where he is now captain.
The 29-year-old has come up against Leeds five times since his time at the club and played 90 minutes in both of the matches last season, including Swansea’s 4-0 defeat back in February.
Grimes’ manager at Swansea Luke Williams was full of praise for Leeds in his pre-match press conference and has backed the Whites to finish in the top two.
Victory would actually see Leeds climb to the top of the Championship for the first time all season following draws for both Sheffield United and Sunderland.
- READ MORE: Predicted Leeds United XI to face Swansea as Joel Piroe decision among two Daniel Farke changes
Grimes shares verdict on ‘big club’ Leeds
One thing Leeds will have to improve to come away with all three points is their away form, with their last victory on the road coming in Wales at Cardiff City back in September.
With that in mind, Grimes has told his press conference that playing at home should give Swansea a better chance of coming away with a win.
However, Grimes was full of praise for a Leeds side he thinks are a ‘very good team’, suggesting the majority of Farke‘s squad could play at a higher level.
He said: “Yeah for sure, they are a very, very good team, very big club. I think Leeds away is probably the toughest game we play in the Championship. To play them at home probably gives us a better chance but like I said, they are a very good side.
“They are managed well and have top players. It will be a really tough test. I think their whole squad is proven at this level, if not the level above. That tells you all you need to know about the level of player they’ve got there.”
Daniel Farke shares his thoughts on Swansea ahead of Leeds clash
Farke is always one to be respectful towards the opposition when speaking in his press conference, and of course, Swansea were no different.
The Leeds boss picked out Liam Cullen as the home side’s dangerman after his brace for Wales in midweek, while also praising their strength at the back.
He said: “It’s not easy to score goals against them (Swansea). I have to say they’re well-structured, I like a lot what they do in build-up and midfield play. Cullen will play with confidence after scoring a brace for Wales. We are respectful, we have to be on it.”
“We want to dominate this game and possession. We have to be more efficient than we have been before. We want to give ourselves the chance to create chances.”
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