Swansea City v Leeds United: YEP Jury give their big match predictions

DAVID WATKINS

For the first time in Marcelo Bielsa’s reign, Leeds hit the perfect five-goal nap hand on Thursday to settle our nerves.

It was a big step towards the dream of Premier League football but we know we still have possibly seven points to find from the final 12 available depending on other results before we play tomorrow.

So, Swansea next and you have to think they will provide more of a challenge than Stoke. The Swans are on a decent run with only one defeat in seven but there were three draws in that run and the opposition, West Brom apart, was not the finest.

They drew 0-0 at home to 
Albion in their last game before the Covid break.

The Welsh side lost at home to Luton recently and do not boast the best of home records, with seven defeats at the Liberty Stadium.

If we can continue to be as clinical as we were on Thursday, we ought to have enough to nick this one and take another giant stride towards the dream.

Prediction: Swansea City 1 Leeds United 2.

MATTHEW EVANS

We go to Swansea on the back of a superb performance and the perfect result at the perfect time. If nerves were shredded in the lead up to Thursday’s game against Stoke they had totally faded away by full time.

It doesn’t help that our friends at Sky TV have engineered the run-in so that we always play behind the pace of our nearest rivals but it certainly had no impact on United the other night.

If Brentford and West Brom win their fixtures today then we will be back in the same position but, crucially, with fewer games to play. Our chasers are running out of road.

The pressure should be marginally less tomorrow as we play our highest ranked opposition remaining away from home. We can guarantee promotion with two wins from four (as long as we pick up a single point elsewhere) so this doesn’t feel quite as critical as the win against Stoke was.

That said, we can win it and I’m sure Marcelo Bielsa and his team will go all out to win it. So why would you bet against us? Leeds are on their way back, you can smell it.

Prediction: Swansea City 0 Leeds United 2.

KEITH INGHAM

Wow I didn’t expect that! Leeds hammered Stoke City 5-0 on a rainy Thursday night to keep United six important points ahead of their third-placed rivals and boosted their goal difference as well. The win took them back to the summit of the Championship.

By the time Leeds step out in Wales all their rivals will have played and they will know exactly what is needed to keep their lead intact and that a win will take them only four points from promotion.

Leeds look like a team that have the impetus – 10 points in four games has put them in a great position with only four games to play and we dare to dream.

Swansea have won three out of five games since the restart, the latest outing was a 3-1 win over Birmingham City at St Andrew’s. At this stage of the season every team Leeds play will demand their respect as they have a very useful team.

Marcelo Bielsa brought back Helder Costa and Stuart Dallas for the win over Stoke and it is once again expected that Pablo Hernandez will once again be on the bench for the game.

The Spaniard scored one and made one for captain Liam Cooper in the game but he is being used as an impact substitute because he’s not 100 per cent fit.

I’d take a draw but a win would mean so much to the faithful and I think they might get it by the odd goal, but it won’t be easy.

Prediction: Swansea City 1 Leeds United 2.

JACOB STARR

Blimey. A 5-0 battering of Stoke on Thursday has restored our six-point cushion above Brentford going into the final four games.

The best performance of the season doesn’t come close to doing it justice, and it could not have come at a better time.

Not only has it significantly boosted our goal difference, it also means we now require a maximum of seven points for promotion, with a visit to play-off chasing Swansea tomorrow.

On loan Liverpool man Rhian Brewster has been in fine form for the Swans and will certainly be their main threat, but if the Whites play anything like they did against the Potters then Marcelo Bielsa’s side will face few issues in Wales.

A Pablo Hernandez cameo may well be utilised if the first half isn’t going quite to plan. Just the one goal and one assist for him in 45 second-half minutes on Thursday.

Patrick Bamford has netted three times since football resumed and his tally currently stands at 16, so he will be confident of reaching 20 in the final four games, starting at the Liberty.

Prediction: Swansea City 1 Leeds United 2.

ANDY RHODES

In the second half of the Stoke game I had a realisation. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed watching Leeds United this much.

Despite all the pressure of the Championship run-in, of the weight of expectation and of playing after their rivals, Leeds didn’t just beat Stoke, they destroyed them.

After the game Liam Cooper said he’s not enjoying a single moment of the run-in due to the stress.

If that’s a stressful performance I’d like to see what a confident one looks like.

But this is no time to be complacent. Another trip to Wales beckons and United will be hoping for a better result than last time.

Rhian Brewster has been prolific since the season’s resumption so United’s defence will have to be on guard.

Pablo Hernandez will hope to be the key on his return to the Liberty after another impressive showing off the bench.

The games are coming thick and fast but Leeds are in their stride. The finishing line is in sight.

Prediction: Swansea City 1 Leeds United 1.

MIKE GILL

Once again, Thomas Frank did Leeds a big favour in motivational terms.

The Brentford manager’s comment that Leeds and West Brom ‘had it all to do’ was a strange statement from a man who was referring to United’s game in hand.

United converted that game in hand to three points in spectacular style against Stoke City to restore the status quo to a six-point cushion. Frank will now have to dream up another sound bite.

Stoke set themselves up to frustrate but crumbled under wave after wave of relentless pressure from the Whites.

This was probably United’s most complete performance and even the stoic Marcelo Bielsa allowed himself a little smile at the post match briefing. Captain Liam Cooper also showed an attitude of modesty and maturity in his interview.

Tomorrow, Leeds face Swansea who are made of sterner stuff than Stoke. The Swans are only one point shy of a play-off places and have everything to fight for. This will be a tough challenge.

Prediction: Swansea City 1 Leeds United 2.

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