Leeds United Faces Key Player Suspensions Ahead of Sheffield Clash
By extending the confident assumption towards the Federation’s membership, the Leeds United approach into the preparation period is quite complicated since two players are on the verge of being yellow carded. Despite their inclination to rule the league, it is surprising that they managed to score a level earlier than the tally against Sunderland and as such they have to prepare themselves towards another challenging form of competition against Sheffield United.
After the match against Sunderland, Leeds, who are now level on points with their opponents at the summit of the table, hoped to generate some degree of momentum. However, the failure to pick up all three points forces the focus to shift to the next encounter which is against Sheffield United. The latter are also on 19 points but have a higher position on the table owing to a deduction imposed on them by the EFL.
Sheffield United, being the last team in the EFL Victoria season to suffer a loss thus far, were last week able to illustrate their supremacy after overcoming the Luton Town team 2-0 courtesy of Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. The Blades are on an impressive run of six clean sheets in a row making them a difficult side to face for Leeds.
To make matters worse for Leeds, defenders Joe Rodon and Jayden Bogle both were booked in the previous match against Sunderland and they are now one yellow away from a one-match ban. This prospect is worrying especially in light of the fact that both individuals have been key cogs in the team since they joined the club in a pair of summer investments worth £15 million.
According to EFL rules, the five-yellow-card suspension is reset course after 19 matches meaning Rodon and Bogle have to play an additional ten games without any further bookings. Such seems unlikely given the current rate of four yellows in nine matches and therefore a suspension is a likelihood.
With Max Wöber out for several weeks, and other defenders not available, manager Daniel Farke is likely to have another defensive crisis, which adds to the pressure at an important juncture in the season.
