Leeds vs Aston Villa prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2022-10-01 15:30.
Jesse Marsch will have to watch from the stands as Leeds finally return to action after nearly a month without a game. The Leeds boss received a touchline ban for his conduct during the 5-2 defeat to Brentford at the start of September, and after a couple of postponements coupled with an international break, his side can finally return to action at a packed-out Elland Road.
This will be a chance for Marsch to see just how far his side have come since his first home game in charge, when they lost 3-0 to Aston Villa in March. Leeds have been beaten just twice in nine matches at Elland Road since then (W4, D3), yet there are fresh concerns over a defence who have kept only one clean sheet in their last 15 home league matches, but with both teams scoring on nine occasions, Leeds home games certainly don’t lack entertainment!
Leeds will therefore need to be wary of the Villains, who after beating Southampton 1-0 before the international break “go to Leeds with a lot more confidence” according to manager Steven Gerrard. That result eased some pressure on the Villa boss as they picked up their first clean sheet in 12 PL games, as well as ending a run of one win in ten league outings (D3, L6).
Villa clearly have problems on the road though, given they have lost four successive PL away games, despite scoring the opening goal in defeats to Manchester City (3-2) and Crystal Palace (3-1). Perhaps those hopes of ending that losing streak will receive a boost from a return to Elland Road then, where Villa have lost only once in ten top flight games (W4, D5) since 1995!
Players to watch: Expected to make a return to action after injury, Rodrigo has netted four times in five PL games this season and lost just once in 15 goal scoring appearances for Leeds. Meanwhile Philippe Coutinho scored a first-half goal in both of Aston Villa’s meetings with Leeds last season, as well as grabbing two assists.
Hot stat: After two wins and a draw, Leeds are looking to go four home games unbeaten at the start of a PL season for only the third time, and first since 2001/02.