Our live stream ahead of Saturdays Premier League match, Leeds vs Brighton is now up, kicking off at 15.00 GMT
You can keep an eye on the commentary as it happens below, but first, we take a preview into the fixture, lineups, predictions and much more…
Leeds come into this game off the back of a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of League Two side Crawley Town in the FA Cup.
That defeat came on the back of a 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the league, though Leeds have no reason to panic just yet.
Bielsa’s men beat Burnley and West Bromwich Albion 1-0 and 5-0 respectively in their two games prior to this losing streak, leaving them well clear of the bottom three.
Leeds, 11 clear of the dropzone, will have their sights set on the top half ahead of games with Albion and Newcastle United in their next two Premier League outings.
Brighton are now winless in nine Premier League games since beating Aston Villa 2-1 on November 21 – the longest winless run of any side in the competition.
The Seagulls put up a good fight in going down 1-0 to Manchester City on Wednesday, with Phil Foden’s strike just before half time proving the difference at the Etihad Stadium.
With Fulham picking up a point against Tottenham Hotspur on the same evening, though, it means Brighton are now just two points above the dropzone, with the Cottagers boasting two games in hand.
Next week’s clash with Fulham has now taken on even more importance, and Brighton cannot afford to head into the game sitting below their opponents in the division.
Leeds and Brighton last met in the Championship in 2017, with Leeds running out 2-0 winners at Elland Road…
PRESS CONFERENCE:
Marcelo Biesla
Can we start with Crawley and the reaction you’ve had to that game in training this week. Has it been a positive reaction? What did you learn from that match and what are you expecting from Brighton this weekend?
“I can’t say anything different to what I’ve already said. Of course, the interpretation of what the opponent did was heroic, was a miracle, was very good.”
“We were humiliated and ridiculed by the opponent. The result allows you to come to these conclusions. When the weaker teams wins the interpretation is that you can have what was said.”
“It’s natural, logical and fair that is so. There were 60 positions between the two teams. This is Crawley’s best result in their history. This is Leeds’ fifth-worst loss in their history.”
“So, all the conclusions are fair. Like in all the cases where it doesn’t go well, we try to look at why the things that we didn’t want to happen happened. We see also the treatment that other teams receive in similar situations.”
“Like for example, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid who were also were dumped out of the cup, but of course we can’t compare ourselves to them. They suffered similar defeats to the one we suffered.”
“I always look to see the treatment that these teams have towards their losses and I try to extract whatever I can to bring to my team.”
There is an increased scrutiny on COVID protocols. Can I just get your view on how it impacts on you and the players when there are these restrictions now on handshakes and goal celebrations yet football is such an emotional game, how difficult is it for the players and have you had to remind them this week of their responsibilities?
“All the rules that are proposed, we always constantly look at them to make sure that they are being adhered to.”
Back to this weekend and the return of Ben White. Did he exceed your expectations when he came in last season and how far do you think he can go? Do you think he can play for one of the top clubs in world football and go on and play for his country?
“All of us here, we admire him as a player and we respect him and love him as a human being. He was an excellent professional as well as a team-mate. I hope that his career allows him to grow because he deserves it.”
We didn’t get the chance to speak to you after the game, so could I just refer to Crawley. At half-time the game was in the balance and you made three substitutions. Can you just explain how you thought those substitutions were going to win the game for you?
“I have to give you a varied response. Cooper and Pascal were in the starting XI. But as we are without Phillips, Koch and Llorente, I have to be careful with the minutes they have.”
“As Tyler Roberts was unwell, the option of Rodrigo Moreno and Harrison in attack becomes a necessity. After any unprecedented event, Pablo can be the attacking mid and Rodrigo the striker.”
In terms of availability, is Tyler Roberts now available for you? Is there anyone else that is unavailable that you can tell us?
“Llorente, Tyler Roberts and Cooper, they are all available.”
You came up against Graham Potter back in 2018. What did you make of him as a manager at the time and what have you made of the job that he is doing at Brighton this season?
“The two teams that he managed, Swansea and this team Brighton, they have things in common. They have a lot of tactical diversity. They treat the ball very well and they’re a team who have good balance because they have good balance between attack and defence.”
Graham Potter
On Be White…
“He has had a week where he has gone back to two of his old clubs [Newport County and Leeds],”
“He can be proud of his time at Leeds, he helped them, and they helped him.”
“It was a perfect loan. He speaks highly of everything at Leeds United.”
“He is very respectful of how they helped him and how they progressed his career”.
“But he’s our player now and I am sure he will want to try and get the points against them.”
FORM:
Leeds United Premier League form: LWLWWL
Leeds United form (all competitions): WLWWLL
Brighton & Hove Albion Premier League form: DDLDWL
Brighton & Hove Albion form (all competitions): DDLDL
LINEUPS:
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski; Klich; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Hernandez, Harrison; Bamford
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Webster, Dunk, Burn; Veltman, White, Bissouma, March; Gross, Tau; Maupay
SPORTSMOLE PREDICTION:
Leeds United 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Leeds may have lost successive games in all competitions, but they have won back-to-back matches at Elland Road and are seeking three in a row there in the Premier League for the first time since 2001.
Brighton have struggled for wins all season, picking up just two victories in their 18 top-flight outings, and we cannot see them taking any points from this first top-flight encounter between the sides in 39 years.
Time to take a look at our Leeds vs Brighton live match stream as it happens…
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