Leeds – Wolves : Preview & Prediction
Now entering their third consecutive season in the Premier League (PL), the ninth place finish achieved by Leeds United under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020/21 seems a long way off, after surviving by a whisker under Jesee Marsch last season. A raft of new signings has softened the blow of losing key players such as Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips, though after many changes, Leeds are heading for the unknown.
Marsch used his Red Bull connections to bring in Bredan Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen from Leipzig, as well as Tyler Adams from Salzburg, tripling the American presence at the Yorkshire club. Big favourites here, Leeds were unbeaten in nine of their ten PL home games in which they started as favourites last season, but they will struggle to improve on their winning percentage of just 40% (G4, E5, P1).
Despite fighting for potential qualification to European competition during the first half of last season, failing to keep a clean sheet in the last nine games and the current longest winless streak among PL teams before the start of this new season (E2, P5) forced Wolves to settle for only finishing in the top half of the standings. The loss of striker Raul Jimenez only further complicates matters for the Black Country Club side, who will at least be looking to extend their four-match unbeaten run at Elland Road (G3, E1).
Having avoided defeat in five of their last six opening games of a PL season (G3, E2) and at the same time also recorded the highest away win average in 2021/22 (41% G7, E2, P8), the underdog status should not faze the Wolves. However, any lack of concentration could prove fatal, as Wolves dropped points after conceding goals after 90 minutes in both meetings against Leeds last season (E1, P1).
Players to watch: Luis Sinisterra will become the first Colombian to play for Leeds in the PL. He was Feyenoord’s top scorer in all competitions last season (23 goals) and was on target on the opening day of last season’s Eredivisie campaign. While Wolves’ Hwang-Hee Chan will be looking to spoil his former manager’s day after opening the scoring after just ten minutes with his last two goals, including one against Leeds.
Weekend stat: Leeds manager Marsch has won his first league game of the season in four of the last five campaigns (P1).
Leeds – Wolves : Betting Tips
Leeds – Win Odds: 2.25
