Leeds United travel to face Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Friday in a crucial clash towards the top of the Championship.
John Carver
John Carver has suggested that Leeds go to St James’ Park on Friday with a great chance of getting something against Newcastle and insisted that the Magpies’ major injury news will help the Whites, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.
The two promotion chasers meet towards the end of this week with the Magpies knowing that a victory will surely see them put one foot in the Premier League while Leeds will feel that a win for them does wonders for their chances of holding onto their spot in the top six.
Rafa Benitez’s men have suffered a setback in the build-up to the game with top goalscorer Dwight Gayle struggling with a hamstring injury that is likely to keep him out (via Yorkshire Evening Post), and Carver – who has been a coach at both clubs down the years – suggested that the striker’s absence will play into Garry Monk’s men’s hands as long as they avoid allowing Newcastle the chance to strike an early blow.
“Leeds go there with a real chance I think. An early goal always sets Newcastle up nicely at St James’ and an early goal (conceded) is exactly what Leeds have to avoid,” he said, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
“They’ll miss Gayle,” he went on to add. “He’s a top player in the Championship and one of the biggest things Newcastle got right this season was signing quality Championship players.
“If Benitez starts (Aleksandar) Mitrovic or Daryl Murphy, Newcastle might have to be a bit more direct and Leeds’ defence would probably be happy about that.”
Although Newcastle won the previous meeting between the two sides, Leeds will feel confident that they can potentially secure a big result as it was a mistake that led to the Magpies breaking the deadlock in the previous game.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
They also got the better of current league leaders Brighton recently, and it must not be forgotten that Newcastle actually have a slightly better record on their travels than they do at home, having lost to the likes of Huddersfield, Wolves, Blackburn, Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham in front of their own fans.
And Carver seems to see no obvious reason why Leeds cannot add their names to that list this Friday.
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