Farke Faces Tough Choice: Drop £45k-a-Week Leeds Flop to Unleash Dan James’ Explosive Potential?

April 21, 2025 RAYMOND 0

Today could be the day Leeds United secures their promotion back to the Premier League, as they face Stoke City at Elland Road. With a win and a Sheffield United loss, the Whites will seal their return to the top flight. After their 1-0 victory over Oxford, manager Daniel Farke may look to freshen up his lineup, particularly after a short recovery period. One key change should be the inclusion of Dan James, who has been a standout performer this season.

James, named a finalist for Championship Player of the Season, has been crucial in the final third with 12 goals, 16 ‘big chances’ created, and 9 assists in 30 starts. To give Leeds the best chance of success in such a critical match, Farke must bring James back into the starting lineup. This means dropping Brenden Aaronson, who has struggled with form, having contributed just two goals and no assists in his last 19 appearances. With James in the starting XI, Leeds’ attack would feature a dynamic trio of James, Gnonto, and Manor Solomon, giving them the edge they need to secure promotion.

Manor Solomon Drops Unexpected Injury Bombshell After Leeds United’s Victory Over Oxford United!

April 19, 2025 RAYMOND 0

Leeds United’s 2-0 victory over Oxford United on Friday evening brought them a step closer to securing automatic promotion, maintaining their five-point lead over Sheffield United. Despite Oxford’s chances, Leeds had the better opportunities and could have won by a larger margin. Manor Solomon’s goal proved pivotal in ensuring the win, which was crucial after Burnley and Sheffield United had both won earlier in the day.

Looking ahead, Leeds’ next challenge is against Stoke City at Elland Road, with just three games remaining. Solomon, who was substituted late on, reassured fans that his early exit was due to cramp, not injury, and he would be fit for the Stoke match. To secure promotion, Leeds need at least four points from their remaining fixtures, with Sheffield United’s results playing a key role in determining how many points will be needed.

Race to the Finish: How Portsmouth, Oxford United, Hull City & Stoke City’s Final 4 Battles Could Decide Championship Fate

April 16, 2025 RAYMOND 0

As the season draws to a close, Oxford United and Stoke City are among the teams looking to escape the looming threat of relegation. Oxford, currently 17th with 48 points, has gained crucial momentum with three wins in their last five matches, putting them six points clear of the bottom three. Their upcoming Easter fixtures give them a chance to secure survival, with a pivotal clash against Cardiff City on Easter Monday. A win in that match could put them nine points ahead of Cardiff, virtually guaranteeing their safety.

Stoke City, sitting just one place below Oxford in 18th with 47 points, breathed a sigh of relief after a late win over Cardiff. With a five-point gap above the relegation zone, they now face a challenging set of fixtures, including tough away games against Leeds United and Sheffield United. The team will need to pick up points from their upcoming matches, with their best-case scenario being that teams currently in the bottom three fail to make up ground, allowing Stoke to breathe easier as they head into their final stretch.

Mystery Omission: Why Two Key Sheffield Wednesday Stars Were Left Out Against Oxford United

April 14, 2025 RAYMOND 0

Sheffield Wednesday’s latest home defeat to Oxford United was compounded by a string of injury concerns, with several senior players missing from the squad. Manager Danny Röhl revealed that key figures like Barry Bannan, Michael Smith, and Olaf Kobacki were sidelined due to fitness issues, though some could have featured if absolutely necessary. Röhl opted instead to rotate the squad, offering chances to others while stressing the need for greater intensity and higher standards across the team.

Snarling Ex-Owl Returns: Sheffield Wednesday on Edge Over Familiar but Ferocious Threat

April 12, 2025 RAYMOND 0

Sheffield Wednesday prepare to welcome relegation-threatened Oxford United to Hillsborough this afternoon, aiming to claim their first home win since New Year’s Day. While the Owls have steadied their season and face no immediate danger, the same cannot be said for Oxford, who are fighting to avoid the drop after a tough campaign on the road.

All eyes will be on the midfield battle, where former Wednesday favourite Will Vaulks is expected to play a key role for the visitors. Now a driving force under new Oxford boss Gary Rowett, Vaulks brings both experience and emotion into the clash—qualities that Owls manager Danny Röhl is keenly aware of. Yet, Röhl insists the focus remains on his own team’s performance: “We play at home, and I want us to control the game, dictate the rhythm, and show our quality. If we do the basics right, we have what it takes to win.”