Leeds United are preparing for arguably their most important, yet winnable Premier League fixture of their first five games on Saturday afternoon – a trip to Wolves.
Leeds currently sit in 16th place in the Premier League table, a position Daniel Farke would rip your hand off for, if offered come the end of the season. Survival is the aim of the game for Leeds during 2025-26.
Four points from four games, a rate Farke needs to continue as a minimum to survive at the end of the season. Leeds have had a tough start to the season, facing two Champions League sides in the first four.
Leeds took advantage of playing against Everton at Elland Road, winning 1-0. At Fulham, Farke’s men came within an inch of a point before Gabriel Gudmundsson’s own goal. Now, Leeds take on Wolves.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesPaul Merson predicts miserable result for Leeds at Wolves
Under Vitor Pereira, who was once linked with the Leeds job, Wolves have lost all four opening Premier League games and scored just two goals. Star striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is a doubt for Saturday’s clash.
Leeds have their own injury problems, but Larsen’s potential omission is a big blow for Wolves. Speaking to Sports Keeda, Merson believes the loss at Fulham “hurt” Leeds and predicted a 2-0 victory for Wolves.
“Leeds were very unlucky against Fulham. That terrible own goal at the end hurt them so much. What I will say is that they can’t keep playing for draws in away games, like they did at Fulham,” Merson said.
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“Leeds will believe this is a winnable game. They will be thinking, ‘If we want to stay up, this a team that we must beat.’ Wolves will have too much for them. A win and a clean sheet for the hosts at Molineux.”
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Daniel Farke could be without three key players at Wolves
Farke spoke to reports on Thursday in his press conference and confirmed, again, that goalkeeper Lucas Perri will be missing. Perri was absent at Fulham and Farke said they will take a look at Perri next week.
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Leeds fans knew Perri would be missing, and they expected Dan James to be injured, too. James went off early against Fulham. Farke confirmed that James is a “major doubt”, but didn’t rule him out entirely.
But the surprise was that Willy Gnonto is also a “major doubt” for Saturday’s trip to the Midlands. The Italian winger has been experiencing some calf issues, missing some training sessions this week.