Leeds Host Manchester United at Elland Road in Clash of Contrasting Form

Leeds, England – Manchester United face a testing trip to Elland Road to take on Leeds United at 13:00 GMT on Sunday, October 18, in the seventh round of Premier League fixtures. The match comes with United enduring a miserable run of form, while Leeds are flying high near the top of the table.

The meeting between Leeds and Manchester United has long been one of English football's fiercest derbies. United came close to ending their long wait for a league title, stretching back to 1967, in 1993 when Sir Alex Ferguson's side were overhauled by Leeds in the title race. A year later, United were crowned champions in the first Premier League season with Eric Cantona – who had arrived from Leeds – in their ranks.

Since Ferguson retired, United have declined. Leeds – three-time English champions – also suffered a dramatic fall after their most recent title. A decade later they were relegated and even spent three years in League One. Now Leeds are back in the Premier League after winning the Championship two seasons ago and are targeting a Champions League place.

Leeds United's form

Leeds have lost only one of their six Premier League games this season – a 1-2 defeat to Arsenal last time out, in which they more than held their own before being pegged back. Two wins and two draws in their first five matches kept Leeds on the heels of Arsenal and Manchester City, capped by a 4-1 home win over Newcastle United. A frustrating draw with Crystal Palace came between the Arsenal loss. In the League Cup, Leeds lost 3-6 to Chelsea in a thriller, with the hosts needing two goals in the final ten minutes to settle it.

Manchester United's form

United began the season badly under manager Michael Carrick with a 0-2 defeat to promoted Hull City. After falling behind at Old Trafford to another promoted side, Ipswich Town, the Red Devils fought back to win 5-2, but that remains their only Premier League victory this season. A 0-1 loss to Manchester City in the derby, settled by a controversial VAR decision, was one of United's better displays, mixed with disappointing draws against Everton, Fulham and Tottenham. In the League Cup, United were knocked out by Brighton, losing 3-2 despite leading 2-0 at half-time.

The Lisandro Martinez affair

Centre-back Lisandro Martinez will feature on Sunday after Manchester United accepted his apology for criticising the club's transfer policy, manager Carrick said on Friday. Martinez met Carrick and senior club officials on Thursday, two days after implying United needed to invest more to compete at the highest level, following a 0-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. "We've put it to bed. It was just a small incident. It really wasn't drama for the team," Carrick said. "The team has trained very well and spirits are high. There's a fresh breeze... He's part of the squad for Sunday."

Recent head-to-head record

Leeds won 2-1 at Old Trafford in their meeting last April, with Noah Okafor scoring both goals, handing Carrick his only defeat during his interim spell. Martinez was sent off early in the second half, while Casemiro gave United hope after the break. Last season, the sides drew 1-1 at Elland Road, Brenden Aaronson opening the scoring in the 62nd minute and Matheus Cunha equalising three minutes later. United's last win over Leeds came in the 2022-23 season, a 2-0 victory at Elland Road with goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. Leeds' last home win over United was in 2002, when Harry Kewell scored the only goal. Since then, in seven meetings at Leeds, United have won five.

Prediction and line-ups

The Opta supercomputer rates Leeds as having a 42% chance of winning, with Manchester United at 32%. This will be the 116th meeting between the sides: United have won 50, Leeds 27, with 38 draws.

On the team news front, Leeds will be without the injured Joe Rodon and Mateo Joseph, while former United player Daniel James is a doubt with a back problem. Leeds' predicted line-up: Trafford; Justin, Elvedi, Muharemovic; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson; Stach, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin.

For Manchester United, Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte and Benjamin Sesko remain sidelined, while Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo need fitness checks before the match. Matthijs de Ligt is nearing a return from a long-term back injury. Predicted line-up: Lammens; Dalot, Martinez, Maguire, Shaw; Baleba, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Diallo; Cunha.