Leeds will be bidding to end their three-match losing streak away from home when they travel to relegation-threatened Fulham on Friday.
The Cottagers have made themselves tough to beat but wins on their own patch have proved elusive and the visiting Whites are due a good performance.
That clash in west London makes the start of a truncated Premier League weekend due to the FA Cup but there is still plenty to get our teeth into as we take an in-depth look at three games.
Bielsa Set for Bamford Boost
Leeds have been an all-or-nothing side on their travels after returning to the Premier League this season, winning six and losing eight.
They have come away on the losing end in each of their last three, falling at the hands of Arsenal, Wolves and West Ham.
But Friday’s trip to the capital offers a fantastic opportunity to get back on track as they look to improve their hopes of securing a top-half finish.
Leeds’ chances of success have been boosted by the news that top-scorer Patrick Bamford, who limped out of the goalless draw with Chelsea last weekend, is likely to be available.
Bamford has bagged 13 times in the Premier League this campaign, notching eight of those goals away from home and he can be backed at 7/4 to register anytime.
The 27-year-old netted in the reverse fixture when Leeds ran out 4-3 winners at Elland Road, while he found the back of the net home and away against Fulham in the Championship last term.
Brilliant work from Bamford!
Goalscorer turns creator and Leeds are taking Fulham apart at Elland Road
pic.twitter.com/eesnXbYuIP
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 19, 2020
Fulham’s attempts to beat the drop haven’t been helped by the fact that they have the worst home record in the division.
Scott Parker’s men have won just two of their 15 outings at Craven Cottage and Leeds look an attractive prospect at 2/1 to come out on top.
Honours Even in Relegation Battle
Brighton host Newcastle on Saturday in a game that could prove to be season-defining for the winner.
The Seagulls start this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting 16th, three points clear of the bottom three, although they have a game in hand on Fulham in 18th.
Newcastle are one place and one point adrift of Brighton after failing to win any of their last five engagements, while each of the Magpies’ last three have ended in a draw.
After going five league encounters without a win, Brighton finally snapped that streak last time out with a morale-boosting 2-1 win at Southampton.
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— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) March 16, 2021
Graham Potter’s men have recorded a league-high seven draws at home this season, winning only once and another draw, which is available at 5/2, looks the most likely outcome here.
The draw has been the most common result in the previous seven meetings between these two sides in the Premier League, the honours being shared on four occasions.
Hammers Honing in on Top-Four
West Ham have been the surprise package of the season and they are well in the running for a top-four finish as they prepare to host Arsenal on Sunday.
They sit fifth, trailing fourth-placed Chelsea by just three points despite falling to a defeat at Manchester United last time out.
Arsenal gave their hopes of securing European football a big boost when seeing off north London rivals Tottenham last weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s men can’t afford any further slip-ups if they are to close the gap but West Ham’s home form doesn’t bode well for the Gunners.
The Hammers boast the second-best home record in the division and they are worth taking on at 19/10 to win on Sunday.
*All odds correct at time of writing
