The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 11th February) The Great West London Escape
Good Morning. It's Wednesday 11th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
The Great West London Escape
It was a night to remember for Leeds United fans as Lady Luck shone brightly on the visitors at Stamford Bridge last night, as the Whites came back from a two-nil defecit to earn a share of the spoils. The Blues dominated much of the game, creating 20 guilt edged opportunities, but sloppy finishing and a healthy dose of good fortune saw Farke's side escape with a point. Even the most hardened of Leeds fans sensed defeat was on the cards after Joao Pedro fired home after just 24 minutes; but despite gaping holes appearing all over the Leeds defence, Liam Rosenior's side were unable to capitalise.
The second half followed a similar script, until the hour mark when Chelsea finally doubled their lead, through a Cole Palmer penalty, awarded after a blatant double handed shove on Pedro by Jaka Bijol. However, Leeds refused to give up, and ten minutes later, Farke's side reduced the defecit. James Justin's relentless hustling caused Pedro Neto (a second half substitute for Marc Cucurella) to lose control of the ball. After scoring against Nottingham Forest last week, Jaiden Bogle fancied his chances, latched onto the loose ball, only to be taken out by Caicedo, earning the Whites a penalty of their own.
Lucas Nmecha, celebrating his first league start since New Years Day celebrated his sixth goal of the campaign - not bad for a player with less than 700 minutes on the clock. Bogle's hard work and determination was the catalyst for Leeds equaliser five minutes later as he took on the entire Chelsea defence. The ball once again broke loose, allowing Nmecha to pick out Okafor to fire into an empty net. Despite replays showing the ball hitting Bogle's arm, VAR allowed the goal.
The drama was not finished there. As we know, Leeds have a habit of conceding late goals; infact, they have conceded nine in stoppage time alone this season, more than any other top flight side. Chelsea had the chance to make it ten in the dying seconds, but Cole Palmer somehow blazed over from just five yards out, handing Leeds a prescious point that they may not have deserved in the grand scheme of things. Still, it doesn't come close to writing the wrongs of bad decisions over the years!
OPTA predict 44 points total for Leeds
According to Opta's latest prediction, Leeds are expected to finish the 2025-2026 campaign in 16th place, narrowly securing their spot in the top flight with 44 points. Nottingham Forest and West Ham United, on the other hand, are predicted to finish with 42 and 36 points, respectively. However, West Ham's recent resurgence has turned heads, with many believing they could defy the odds and escape relegation.
The Hammers' impressive form saw them come agonisingly close to beating a high-flying Manchester United side, and their newfound momentum has left fans of Leeds, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham Hotspur nervously glancing over their shoulders. The impact of West Ham's new recruits has been nothing short of remarkable, with all five players hitting the ground running and contributing to the team's sudden upturn in fortunes. This has led many to speculate that Nuno Espirito Santo's side could potentially secure safety, at the expeense of Forest, Spurs or Leeds.
Opta's prediction suggests that West Ham will ultimately finish the season in 18th place with 36 points, while Forest and Leeds will end the campaign with 42 and 44 points, respectively. They came within seconds of what would have been twelve points from a possible fifteen, form that would have propelled them to the top of the form guide. By hook or by crook, Leeds still have a six point cushion over the Hammers, but will injuries starting to take their toll, can Leeds maintain that gap?