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Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson disagree on how Newcastle v Leeds will play out

3 years ago
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Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier have been discussing Friday night’s upcoming match at St James Park.

The former players turned pundits disagreeing about the likely final outcome.

Matt Le Tissier is very confident that Leeds will win, pointing out how woeful Newcastle United have been so far, having lost four games and drawing one in all competitions.

Phil Thompson thinks Newcastle will avoid defeat but agrees at how ‘poor’ Steve Bruce’s team have proved to be this season, the only reason he puts up for the home side not getting beat is that Leeds are looking ‘toothless’ according to him. Thompson citing the game on Sunday where Liverpool dominated Leeds and won 3-0.

To be fair to Leeds, they have had a tough start to the season, three of the four games they have played so far, have been against clubs currently sitting in the top four.

In contrast, apart from Man Utd, Newcastle’s other three opponents – Villa, Southampton and West Ham, have only won one of their nine combined Premier League matches this season when they weren’t playing NUFC.

You do feel that Friday’s match could prove very important for either team if they can win, victory giving some self confidence and momentum, as well as three points. Phil Thompson predicting though a 1-1 draw.

Last season, Leeds comprehensively did far better than Newcastle despite only having just getting promotion.

As well as exciting Bielsa football compared to woeful boring and negative Bruce tactics, Leeds picked up 14 points more than Newcastle, Leeds scored 16 more goals, plus conceding eight less than NUFC.

Indeed, the two matches between the two clubs perfectly summed up the respective seasons, Leeds winning both and scoring seven goals in the process.

Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson talking on the ‘Where’s Jeff’ podcast:

Matt Le Tissier:

“Friday night, I have gone for Leeds United [to beat Newcastle United] at very reasonable odds of 5/4.

“Given how Newcastle have been this season, I’m pretty confident in my selection.”

Phil Thompson:

“You look at Newcastle and how poor they can be.

“With five at the back it just doesn’t work for them.

“But are Leeds capable?

“What I saw against Liverpool [on Sunday when Liverpool beat Leeds 3-0]…my boys were fantastic by the way, I just thought they [Leeds] were a bit toothless up front.

“It didn’t really happen for them.

“I was looking at this as a draw.

“I can probably see this as a 1-1 draw.

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