Premier League

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.