Here is your Leeds United morning digest for Friday, May 29.
Why Leeds might be forced to play at neutral venues
The Championship could soon follow the Premier League in arranging a provisional return date after clubs returned to training earlier this week.
It’s long been established that unfortunately the remainder of the season, if played, will have to take place behind closed doors without spectators.
A new report in The Times suggests that authorities fear that certain key matches, such as London derbies and games involving Liverpool and Leeds, are at risk of fans congregating outside to celebrate.
Liverpool and Leeds are top of their top two divisions and close to ending a 30-year wait for the title and a 16-year wait to return to the Premier League, respectively.
It’s said in such events, the clubs could be forced to play at neutral venues, rather than in their own empty stadia.
The Bundesliga stat that could be a bad omen for Leeds
The German top division has now played out a full three sets of fixtures since it returned earlier this month, and there’s an early trend for away victories.
In full stadiums before the suspension, 43% of games were won by the home team, but that’s fallen to just 19% since games began being played behind closed doors - seemingly confirming that home advantage is rendered meaningless without supporters.
Leeds, who have the highest average attendance in the Championship, have lost just three of 18 matches so far this season.
No side averages more points from home games than Marcelo Bielsa’s men - and, as above, there’s a question mark over whether their remaining five ‘home’ matches will even take place at Elland Road.
Here’s the full analysis of those Bundesliga results, and what it might mean for Leeds.
Leeds United’s squad assessed ahead of potential Premier League return
Leeds United editor Joe Mewis has taken an in-depth look through all the players currently on the club’s books and the areas the club might look to strengthen in when the transfer window opens.
In particular, it’s noted the situation between the sticks with Kiko Casilla’s future in doubt and back-up keeper Illan Meslier lacking top-level experience.
There’s also a question mark at centre-half, given Ben White’s loan deal set to end this summer and Gaetano Berardi’s current deal expiring imminently.
Here’s the full look at United’s squad and the positions in which director of football Victor Orta could be targeting new signings.
