Pundits predictions as Leeds United tipped for tough…

Pundits predictions as Leeds United tipped for tough afternoon against Wolves

Leeds United will be looking to get their third season back in the Premier League off to a winning start when Wolverhampton Wanderers travel to Elland Road this afternoon.

The Whites have failed to win in each of their two opening games since returning to the top-flight in 2020 – losing to Liverpool and Manchester United respectively. Nonetheless, Leeds have a strong recent record against Wolves having collected four points from their two encounters last term.

Wolves spent the duration of last season competing for European qualification but failed to win any of their last seven games (L5 D2) to limp to a 10th place finish. They will also be without a host of first team players, including Nelson Semedo, Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez.

Pundits from across the media have provided their views and predictions and LeedsLive have rounded them up for you.

Sky Sports – Lewis Jones

In his latest Sky Sports predictions column, Lewis Jones (AKA Jones Knows) predicted a goalless stalemate: “A difficult season could be on the cards for Wolves. They perplexed many with their defiance of the key metrics throughout last season, posting strong numbers early on when losing matches, then those figures fell through the floor when results started to pick up. By the end of the campaign, they were pretty tedious to watch with no real obvious game plan leading to just one win in their last nine when a European finish was within their grasp.

"Morgan Gibbs-White is an exciting prospect but whether he'll produce the same level as when on loan in the Championship is debatable, and Pedro Neto could have the world at his feet if he recaptures his form and fitness. Too many ifs, though.

"Leeds, meanwhile, look a team to sit back and watch for a few weeks before making any sweeping statements after a summer of massive change within their ranks. It could go either way under Jesse Marsch.

This really is a horrible match to try and come to a confident conclusion on. I'm chickening out.”

Prediction: Leeds 0-0 Wolves

BBC Sport: Chris Sutton

After replacing Mark Lawrenson, Chris Sutton also went for a goalless draw. He wrote in his BBC Sport predictions column: “Along with Fulham and Bournemouth, I've got Leeds as going down this season. They only just stayed up last time and then sold their two best players, Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, this summer.

"Wolves have got some brilliant creative players but they are lacking firepower at the moment without the injured Raul Jimenez, so who is going to get their goals?

"This is a hard one to predict, so I am going to sit on the fence - I know Ali will do exactly the same too.”

Prediction: Leeds 0-0 Wolves

Paddy Power - Mark Lawrenson

After leaving BBC, Lawrenson has a new gig at Paddy Power. He has gone for a Leeds victory, and wrote: “Leeds were all over the shop defensively last year, if they can change that I don’t think they’ll have a problem in terms of being relegated. Wolves have kept all their best players and for most of last season they were really difficult to score against but did fall off towards the end.”

Prediction: Leeds 2-1 Wolves

Sportskeeda – Paul Merson

Paul Merson is the third pundit to sit on the fence. He did at least predict goals in his Sportskeeda predictions column, writing: “Wolves are a funny team, you never know what you're going to get. One minute they look brilliant and the next, they look like they're not going to score for a month.

“Jesse Marsch did well towards the end of last season, but he'll have to do without Kalvin Phillips this year. Leeds struggled last year and they'll need to win this game if they don't want another struggle in the Premier League. It's going to be a hot summer's day, and this match will likely end in a draw.

Prediction: Leeds 1-1 Wolves

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