YEP Jury: Wolves match will provide a real benchmark to gauge Leeds United’s Premier progress

DAVID WATKINS

Any predictions we make for the home game with Wolves have to be made in the absence of decisive news at the time of writing about just who is going to be fully fit and available following the international break.

This applies to both sides with the possibility of injuries or Covid infections limiting selections. For Leeds we have been told that both Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente are doubts with Liam facing a late fitness test but we do now know that Pablo Hernandez will be fit to resume if picked.

On form, it looks like Leeds have the edge. Both Wolves and Leeds have managed narrow wins at Sheffield United and at home to Fulham but whereas Leeds were a good match for Manchester City, Wolves lost 3-1 to them. Both sides also conceded four goals in their other game – although our narrow 4-3 defeat at Anfield looks a lot better than Wolves’ 4-0 trouncing at West Ham. On that basis and logic, I’m going for an optimistic 2-1 win in a game that looks less tough than many we’ll face in the weeks to come.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.

MATTHEW EVANS

It feels like an age since United took to the field to play Manchester City.

The disruptive nature of Premier League television coverage and the reduced number of games can make the pace of fixtures seem positively pedestrian compared to the Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday treadmill of the Championship.

It is all to the benefit of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds with every game a cup final and every minute of each game filled with high energy pressing. Aside from the rest, it will have been a valuable two weeks of off-field preparation returning players like Pablo Hernandez to fitness and bedding in new signings like Raphinha.

Wolves will be yet another major test for us but will provide a very good benchmark for where United might be competing in the league this season. Four fixtures, two against last year’s first and second-placed sides and two against clubs who have struggled so far, haven’t given us a clue of the Premier League average. Wolves are the closest we’ll have come to that so far and I expect an average score draw as a result.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2.

JACOB STARR

That exceptional display against Manchester City seems a very long time ago now, and as another rather lifeless international break passes, Leeds United prepare to face Wolves tomorrow.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men play with a unique style that has seen them become a consolidated Premier League side since their promotion in 2018, something that the Whites have shown glimpses of replicating in the early stages of this campaign.

Wolves have played three of the teams that Leeds have so far, picking up one point fewer, whilst getting battered at West Ham in the other. It could be said that inconsistency has been the only issue for Nuno’s side.

Two of United’s internationals suffered muscle injuries during the break, however, with centre-back duo Diego Llorente and Liam Cooper returning early for treatment. The former is out for three weeks whilst the latter will face a late fitness test.

This means that the partnership of Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk could be rekindled, which hasn’t been seen since the opening day thriller at Anfield.

Prediction: Leeds United 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.

KEITH INGHAM

Well it’s a couple of weeks since Manchester City left Elland Road relieved that they had a point from West Yorkshire. In the time we’ve seen the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ don the England shirt another three times and Leeds players have represented various National and international teams.

Everybody is on a ‘high’, sales of all three new kits have broken sales records as the feel-good factor of last season continues despite the fact of Covid-19 being on the increase and most of us staying within four walls because of it. There has been no year like 2020 and it will be remembered for a very long time.

We face Wolves tomorrow on Sky – a team that has equipped itself well to do well since promotion a few years ago.

Nuno Espirito Santo has a few match-winners within his squad. Their front three are as good as any in the top 10 of the Premiership with Jimenez a definite threat up front.

United may be forced to use their opening day centre-back partnership of Koch and Struijk because of injuries to captain Cooper and Llorente whilst they were away on international duty. Hernandez should be fit for the game and summer signing Raphinha has settled in well enough to be considered for the game. There has been quite a few goals in Leeds’ opening fixtures with Liverpool and Fulham and I’m expecting a few more tomorrow. A draw against a good team wouldn’t be a bad result.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2.

ANDY RHODES

After an impressive first few weeks in the Premier League, Leeds will return time action in high spirits after the international break.

Seven points from four games is a good start and, with Wolves to come at Elland Road, United will see an opportunity to build.

Wolves have again splashed the cash and, on paper, could threaten to break into the top six.

However, they were beaten 4-0 last time they hit the road.

Leeds, though, are unbeaten in three and have been playing well. Patrick Bamford will be hoping to get back on the scoresheet, while fans will be eager to see new signing Raphinha in action.

Mateusz Klich has filled the creative void left by the returning Pablo Hernandez, while Jack Harrison will come back into the side.

The defence may again be reshuffled following injuries to Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente. But Leeds have shown what they’re made of this season.

Three points would be excellent but this could go either way.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.

MIKE GILL

Tomorrow brings another benchmark against which the Whites can measure their progress.

Leeds have never crossed swords with Wolves since the appointment of Marcelo Bielsa and this will add further interest to the match. Wolves begin their third season in the Premier League, having finished a creditable seventh in their first two seasons, qualifying for the Europa League.

Their ownership and management are stable and in many ways are a good example for United to emulate. This season they have accrued six points so far which is one less than United but these are early days.

Another tough challenge awaits both sides as they await news from their treatment tables. This should be a good opportunity for Helder Costa to put one over on his former employers who clearly believed that he wasn’t quite up to Premier League standards.

Leeds fans will also be fascinated to see the progress being made by Rodrigo after his electrifying performance against Manhester City.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.

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