Leeds United were on the verge of winning all three points against Leicester City in a Premier League six-point relegation battle on Tuesday night. Yet, Javi Gracia’s team found a way to foul things, conceding late to draw the match 1-1.
The result left Leeds in 16th place and one point ahead of 18th-place Leicester in the standings. The Whites are now winless in four straight league matches, as they prepare for a trip to Bournemouth on Sunday.
Three straight away wins in the @premierleague for the first time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HaJfjl6MoJ— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) April 28, 2023
Three straight away wins in the @premierleague for the first time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HaJfjl6MoJ
The Cherries’ recent surge of points, nine from their last five matches, have them in 15th place. Gary O’Neil has done wonders with Bournemouth. The team were rooted in the relegation zone when he took over for Scott Parker earlier this season.
Don’t forget that Bournemouth lost 9-0 to Liverpool at Anfield just before O’Neil took over the managerial reins. With six matches left to play this season, Bournemouth are four points above the relegation zone.
History is not on Bournemouth’s side for this weekend’s match. Leeds won five of the last six fixtures between the teams. Earlier this season, Leeds won 4-3 at Elland Road. The match showed the two sides of Bournemouth: the team’s strong attack and its brittle defence.
Leeds took an early lead thanks to a penalty from Rodrigo. Bournemouth came back to score three straight goals courtesy of Marcus Tavernier, Philip Billing, and Dominic Solanke.
Yet, Leeds weren’t done. Sam Greenwood pulled a goal back before Liam Cooper levelled the score at 3-3. With six minutes left on the clock, Crysencio Summerville scored the winner. The victory came during the reign of former manager Jesse Marsch.
Leeds took just four points from their last six matches under Marsch. The team’s brittle defence took another pounding. The team conceded 19 times, while the attack scored just seven goals.
Bournemouth picked up nine points from the last 18 points on offer. The Cherries struggled to score goals in those six matches, with just six goals. Meanwhile, the defence allowed 12 goals to opponents.
Leeds defender Max Wober has been ruled out of the match with a thigh injury. Luis Sinisterra is unlikely to make the squad following an ankle injury. Stuart Dallas and Tyler Adams remained ruled out with long-term injuries.
O’Neil will be without Jack Stephens, Ryan Fredericks, and Junior Stanislas due to injuries. Joe Rothwell could be fit to play after a thigh injury, but Hamed Traore looks set to miss the match.
Bournemouth and Leeds are desperate for all three points. The Cherries will need to overcome their poor head-to-head record against Leeds if they want to improve their chances of Premier League survival.