13-12-2024, 19:49
The Fitness Test
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Having played on Wednesday night against Cardiff, it's been a quick turnaround for North End.
Kaine Kesler-Hayden came off after taking a knock in that match, but Paul Heckingbottom expects he'll be okay.
The boss is also hoping to have Andrew Hughes available for selection again, after the defender missed the trip home to Cardiff through injury.
The Whites
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After ending the 2023/24 season in disappointment at Wembley, with Southampton taking the final Premier League spot, Daniel Farke regathered his troops and they’ve hit the ground running in the first half of the current campaign.
Averaging more than two points per game, they’re well and truly living up to the pre-season expectations of being one of the favourites for promotion, and they’ll be hoping to hold on to an automatic spot so they don’t need to go back through the Play-Offs.
The Whites have been free-scoring so far this season, netting 36 goals in 20 matches, and 11 clean sheets at the other end has helped their cause, too.
The Officials
Referee: John Busby
Assistant Referees: Mark Russell and Bhupinder Singh Gill
Fourth Official: Will Finnie
Heck
Having played on Wednesday night, Paul Heckingbottom is looking to make sure he can get as much energy out of his North End side as possible when Leeds United come to Deepdale this Saturday.
PNE were in South Wales during the week, where they managed to pick up their first away league victory of the campaign, and it’s been a quick turnaround to switch the focus to high-flying Leeds.
Daniel Farke’s team arrive in Lancashire sat in an automatic promotion spot and they have a chance to go top, at least for a few hours.
Hecky said: “One thing I don't agree with is these split weeks and it gives massive advantage to some teams. Because of the cup that we went in as well with the Arsenal game, things like that we seem to have been on the wrong end of them, and ultimately it is more of a problem for us than them.
“However, we're getting used to dealing with those. We're going to have to look at the squad and not necessarily freshen it up from the 11, although that will be a concern, but make sure we get as much energy as possible throughout the 90 minutes from the 11 that's on there.
Farke
Leeds United face Preston North End away from home in the Sky Bet Championship this weekend, with more than 5,000 supporters set to follow the Whites to Lancashire.
Both teams come into the game on the back of midweek victories. Daniel Farke’s side dispatched of Middlesbrough at home, whilst PNE made the long trip back from Cardiff City with three important points.
Speaking ahead of the lunchtime kick-off this weekend, the boss gave his thoughts to the media, beginning with an update on team news.
“There are several players after the last game with some injuries, some knocks, some question marks.
“Max Wober, for example, it was a busy week for him because it was the first time in the starting lineup since ages. His knee was also a bit swollen after the last game, it has settled down, so I hope he's capable of training today.
“I hope he is available, but a late decision with Sam Byram. He just came back after injury, had some cramps in the end. It has settled down, looks much better. I hope he's available but we have to wait for the training session.
“Same as Jayden Bogle, he's improved, so perhaps he's also in contention. We'll have more or less a session today as a test if he's available, and we can go through.
"There are many players with knocks and little hits, so for many of them it's a test today, and then afterwards we will take the decision on who travels with us to Preston, who is also in the starting lineup.”
On the game itself, Farke knows it will be another tough test for his side again an experience PNE side, who have proven difficult to beat lately.
“it's always a difficult place to go, Preston. I've played there so many times in my Championship life and it was always difficult, always competitive games, never easy,” the manager explained.
“They have a pretty experienced manager on this level with Paul [Heckingbottom], who knows this league inside out, with good players, always they play with fighting spirit and competitiveness.
“Yes, before their last game you would have spoken about, okay, they draw many games.
“Meanwhile, after an impressive away win, I have to say, you speak about they have five games unbeaten and will also play with lots of confidence.
“So it's always tight against them, and each game on this level is difficult, and especially in the away game at Preston during a pretty busy period, we know exactly what is coming.”
MACS VIEW
United having an extra days rest plus probably not getting home until 4am on Thursday may give them an advantage but we tend to play better against the top sides, could be a good game
[
Having played on Wednesday night against Cardiff, it's been a quick turnaround for North End.
Kaine Kesler-Hayden came off after taking a knock in that match, but Paul Heckingbottom expects he'll be okay.
The boss is also hoping to have Andrew Hughes available for selection again, after the defender missed the trip home to Cardiff through injury.
The Whites
[
After ending the 2023/24 season in disappointment at Wembley, with Southampton taking the final Premier League spot, Daniel Farke regathered his troops and they’ve hit the ground running in the first half of the current campaign.
Averaging more than two points per game, they’re well and truly living up to the pre-season expectations of being one of the favourites for promotion, and they’ll be hoping to hold on to an automatic spot so they don’t need to go back through the Play-Offs.
The Whites have been free-scoring so far this season, netting 36 goals in 20 matches, and 11 clean sheets at the other end has helped their cause, too.
The Officials
Referee: John Busby
Assistant Referees: Mark Russell and Bhupinder Singh Gill
Fourth Official: Will Finnie
Heck
Having played on Wednesday night, Paul Heckingbottom is looking to make sure he can get as much energy out of his North End side as possible when Leeds United come to Deepdale this Saturday.
PNE were in South Wales during the week, where they managed to pick up their first away league victory of the campaign, and it’s been a quick turnaround to switch the focus to high-flying Leeds.
Daniel Farke’s team arrive in Lancashire sat in an automatic promotion spot and they have a chance to go top, at least for a few hours.
Hecky said: “One thing I don't agree with is these split weeks and it gives massive advantage to some teams. Because of the cup that we went in as well with the Arsenal game, things like that we seem to have been on the wrong end of them, and ultimately it is more of a problem for us than them.
“However, we're getting used to dealing with those. We're going to have to look at the squad and not necessarily freshen it up from the 11, although that will be a concern, but make sure we get as much energy as possible throughout the 90 minutes from the 11 that's on there.
Farke
Leeds United face Preston North End away from home in the Sky Bet Championship this weekend, with more than 5,000 supporters set to follow the Whites to Lancashire.
Both teams come into the game on the back of midweek victories. Daniel Farke’s side dispatched of Middlesbrough at home, whilst PNE made the long trip back from Cardiff City with three important points.
Speaking ahead of the lunchtime kick-off this weekend, the boss gave his thoughts to the media, beginning with an update on team news.
“There are several players after the last game with some injuries, some knocks, some question marks.
“Max Wober, for example, it was a busy week for him because it was the first time in the starting lineup since ages. His knee was also a bit swollen after the last game, it has settled down, so I hope he's capable of training today.
“I hope he is available, but a late decision with Sam Byram. He just came back after injury, had some cramps in the end. It has settled down, looks much better. I hope he's available but we have to wait for the training session.
“Same as Jayden Bogle, he's improved, so perhaps he's also in contention. We'll have more or less a session today as a test if he's available, and we can go through.
"There are many players with knocks and little hits, so for many of them it's a test today, and then afterwards we will take the decision on who travels with us to Preston, who is also in the starting lineup.”
On the game itself, Farke knows it will be another tough test for his side again an experience PNE side, who have proven difficult to beat lately.
“it's always a difficult place to go, Preston. I've played there so many times in my Championship life and it was always difficult, always competitive games, never easy,” the manager explained.
“They have a pretty experienced manager on this level with Paul [Heckingbottom], who knows this league inside out, with good players, always they play with fighting spirit and competitiveness.
“Yes, before their last game you would have spoken about, okay, they draw many games.
“Meanwhile, after an impressive away win, I have to say, you speak about they have five games unbeaten and will also play with lots of confidence.
“So it's always tight against them, and each game on this level is difficult, and especially in the away game at Preston during a pretty busy period, we know exactly what is coming.”
MACS VIEW
United having an extra days rest plus probably not getting home until 4am on Thursday may give them an advantage but we tend to play better against the top sides, could be a good game
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