Opposition Focus: Leeds United

FULHAM VS LEEDS UNITED | 19TH MARCH 2021

Image: MIKE EGERTON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

In the latest Opposition Focus, Matt Wiggins spoke to Leeds fan and TikTok content creator Ben Placito to get a United perspective ahead of Friday night’s game at Craven Cottage…

In the reverse fixture, it finished 4-3 to Leeds at Elland Road. What is your reflection on the match?

A crazy game where neither team could defend. Think we deserved it in the end. Mitro bagged a couple which had me worried. I’d love to know why he is not playing much for you guys?!

With 36 points and 10 games left to play, it’s fair to say you’re all but safe from being dragged into a relegation battle. Was the aim always to simply stay up this season?

For me the aim was always to stay up this season, and aim to build on it next season. I was never really worried about us getting relegated due to the amount of energy we have going forward, however this is Leeds United and its in our blood to bottle it. I think as long as we keep Bielsa we can really push on next season.

Patrick Bamford has been one of the standout players for Leeds this season, adding some clinical finishing to his game. What do you think has made the difference to him scoring more goals in the Premier League than the Championship?

Any Leeds fan who says he didn’t slate Patrick Bamford last season is a liar. He was unbelievably frustrating to watch. We created so many chances last season and he needed 10 to score. However this season he has been far more clinical. I think the hunger of really wanting to prove people wrong has helped him. Nobody expected him to be sitting on so many goals this season. Full credit to the lad, he has shown that he is good enough to play in the prem.

Who has been the standout player for Leeds so far this season?

For me Raphinha has been our standout player simply because of the impact he has made. I genuinely thought we’d have to wait a couple of years to sign a player of his quality, but I was wrong. He’s a top player and we’re going to struggle to keep hold of him. He is a flair player who will have everyone standing up when hes on the ball, but on top of that his end product and decision making seems top notch.

Who’s one Fulham player you feel can threaten Leeds tonight?

Personally, I think Loftus-Cheek is a quality player. A real powerhouse who has unbelievable dribbling ability for a big man. Lookman has also done very well to redeem himself since that awful penalty miss!

Who do you think will finish in the top 4 and the bottom 3?

I think the top 4 will remain as it is, but Chelsea will overtake Leicester. City, United, Chelsea, Leicester. As for relegation, I think West Brom and the Baggies are long gone. I would love to see Burnley join them, but I could see Newcastle falling in there! Fulham have decent form going forward, I hope you can stay up.

Finally, how do you see the game panning out?

Tonight’s match is a tough one. We have had some bad results recently and will really want to win, but this could go against us. I’m going for goals in this game (as I always do with Leeds). 3-2 to us!


Thanks to Ben Placito for answering our questions. Check out his TikTok here