Leeds United were given a massive fitness boost by head coach Marcelo Bielsa yesterday.
The Whites are gearing up for their first top-flight clash at Elland Road for over 16 years in tomorrow’s visit of Fulham.
Leeds were given a dose of glorious failure last weekend by coming from behind on three occasions to almost earn a point at the home of Liverpool, the Premier League champions, who snatched a 4-3 win.
Bielsa was missing his no-nonsense captain Liam Cooper at Anfield, but the Argentine revealed via The Yorkshire Evening Post on Thursday that the Scotland international was fit to face the Cottagers.
Here’s what Mark Lawrenson said to BBC Sport about Cooper and the match itself.
He said: “There’s a chance Leeds captain Liam Cooper will be back on Saturday after missing the Liverpool game with a calf injury, and he would obviously improve them defensively.
“I’m backing Marcelo Bielsa’s side to get the win this time, especially because they are playing at Elland Road.”
Leeds should, in theory, win this one.
They go into it on the back of a demoralising League Cup defeat by Hull City on penalties in midweek, but they should have too much for the Cottagers nevertheless.
It’s not strictly because they gave as good as they got against the champions last week, but Bielsa’s side thumped the Londoners 3-0 in this fixture last season – and it was as recently as June.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
