Leeds United are one of the six sides in the Premier League that aren’t going to be affected by AFCON this festive period, but their relegation rivals are.

Two games remain in 2025 before the new year arrives. As Daniel Farke prepares for Crystal Palace this Saturday, he’ll be hoping to spring a shock on the Premier League’s best away side.

A major development across the Premier League this week shakes up availability for 14 teams, though. AFCON squads have been announced with internationals set to travel this week for the tournament in Morocco.

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West Ham suffer massive AFCON blow with key wing-back duo both ruled out until January

Every week, we’re looking over our shoulders at West Ham. Their loss at home to Aston Villa, coupled with our deserved draw against Brentford, puts the gap at three points.

This week, as we host the Eagles – who are missing Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr – the Irons make the daunting trip up to Manchester City.

Importantly, West Ham will have to go there without their vital pair of full-backs Aaron Wan Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Aaron Wan Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf is set to miss a decent chunk of games for West Ham due to AFCON. (Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)

Both have been called up for their respective national teams. And therefore, Nuno Espirito Santo faces a spell without two crucial players out wide.

How are Leeds United’s other rivals affected by AFCON in Premier League relegation scrap?

West Ham aren’t the only side around Leeds that are affected by AFCON between December 21 and January 18.

  • Wolves: Tawanda Chirewa, Emmanuel Agbadou.
  • Burnley: Axel Tuanzebe, Hannibal Mejbri (banned at the moment anyway), Lyle Foster.
  • Nottingham Forest: Willy Boly, Ibrahim Sangare.
  • Brentford: Dango Ouattara, Frank Onyeka
  • Fulham: Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze

In terms of Leeds’ opposition, I’ve already noted that three-goal Palace winger Sarr is missing. After that, Leeds head up to Sunderland who are the most affected by AFCON with six players missing:

Bertrand Traore, Chemsedine Talbi, Habib Diarra, Reinildo Mandava, Noah Sadiki, and Arthur Masuaku are all called up for their respective nations.

Once we get into the new year, a lot will hinge on any given nation’s progression into the knockouts and then their subsequent return to club action:

  • Group stage: 21-31 December
  • Round of 16: 3-6 January 
  • Quarter-finals: 9-10 January
  • Semi-finals: 14 January
  • Third-place play-off: 17 January
  • Final: 18 January

After that, we travel to Liverpool on New Year’s Day, who will be without Mohamed Salah. On January 4th, we host Manchester United, whose right side has taken a big hit with Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, and Noussair Mazraoui all missing.

January 7th is a midweek trip to Newcastle United, who aren’t affected like us.

But, Leeds then have a six-pointer at home to Fulham on January 17th, who are importantly without three Nigeria stars, who might be fancied to go the distance in the tournament, at least to the semi-finals, which would rule them out of the meeting at Elland Road.

Read more: Chris Wilder gives major update on Leeds United ‘target’ Gustavo Hamer.