Liverpool–Leeds

You may have heard rumors and stories about a team that has lived in the shadow of the Premier League for years, but still has die-hard fans among friends, colleagues or an old acquaintance. Now, for the first time in a long time, the guests in tonight's match finally get to dip their toe back into familiar waters – the Premier League. The team I'm talking about is Leeds.

Anfield is visited by former Championship side Leeds, who may appear harmless on the odds, but in reality are a familiar David facing Goliath. Arne Slot and his men will need to be tough defensively heading into this match, as this will not be a walk in the park against a team that scores against everyone.

Liverpool – defensively unstable

It is with deep sadness, and with my hand on my heart, that I must say that Liverpool did not deserve to win their last home game against relegated Wolves. Two quick goals before half-time gave me a sense of calm heading into the break, but that calm was to prove short-lived.

Because right after the break, it was the visitors who took full control of the match. They reduced the deficit early, and the equalizer should have come long before the referee blew for full time. We saw a Liverpool team that played with fear of losing points against a team that barely stays together. Direct embarrassment – ​​but unfortunately a reality.

Even with several key players out of the starting eleven, Liverpool occasionally delivered good attacking play, at least when they actually tried to attack. Facing Leeds will not be a walk in the park if the plan is to score one or two goals and then lie low. As for Liverpool, I hope they dare to play attacking football for the full 90 minutes.

Leeds – wrongly placed in the table

There are many teams that are misplaced in the table this season, but the biggest one, in my opinion, is Leeds. What they have shown in several of their matches has been solid, even if the points haul doesn't fully reflect their performance.

The system of the German coach Daniel Farke is starting to work. The ball ends up where it should – with Calvert-Lewin, who already has 8 goals. With 2–3–0 in the last five games, there is absolutely reason to believe in points here too, as it was last time at Elland Road when Liverpool and Leeds played 3–3.

In fact, Leeds have scored a whopping 12 goals in their last five games, but they have also conceded at least one goal in 15 straight games. That says something about how Leeds games often play out: open, intense – and goal-filled.

Summary – good away, but best at home

Leeds are by far the best at home, but they have also shown they can do damage against big teams away from home. I expect a game where both teams find the net – and maybe even a draw. Three points at Anfield against Arne Slot will be tough, but Leeds are more than capable of causing trouble.

01.01 at 18:30: Liverpool - Leeds: Both teams score (1.77)