Leeds United v Newcastle United, a preview

Newcastle United face an in-form Leeds United side at Elland Road in front of the Sky TV cameras in a 1.15pm kick off on Sunday. We sit top of the table and regardless of the result, we will remain in top spot. Should we win the game tomorrow, we’ll move 5 points clear of second place Brighton who only managed a draw at home to Aston Villa on Friday night - a fantastic result for us.

Tomorrow is a huge game for Newcastle and for me, it is perhaps the biggest test we have had this season.

Leeds are managed by Garry Monk, a manager I greatly admire. He did things well at Swansea City and got them playing some good football, he goes about his business quietly but effectively and has his Leeds United side playing some good football, especially over the last few games.

That being said, Newcastle have a fantastic record at Leeds having won 3 of the last 3 games in Yorkshire. We do have the quality to beat Leeds but has the 2 week international break spoiled the momentum we had going?

Newcastle head to the fixture with no new injury worries from the international break. Jonjo Shelvey, who pleaded not guilt to the FA charge against him, is available, as is Matt Ritchie who returns from his suspension and Dwight Gayle has also recovered from the minor injury that kept him out of the last game. Rolando Aarons is the only new injury victim after suffering an ACL injury during the week. I genuinely feel sorry for the kids, he has had injury after injury and this one is a serious one. I wish him well in his recovery.

I have a feeling Rafa might play quite defensive in this one, we’re away at a side who have a glittering top flight history behind them. Leeds United are a big club, no doubt about it and like us, they will be itching to get back in to the top flight. Tomorrow is a huge game, for both sides, Leeds won’t be intimidated by us and we should not be scared by them, we need to put in a professional performance and in doing so, that should see us leave with all 3 points.

Leeds United have the fantastically named Ronaldo Vieira playing for them who has seen some form recently; something that Rafa seems to have noticed as he has been linked with a move for the player in the last few days. They are a well organised side and seem to have moved on from the off-field shenanigans that have blighted their recent seasons - something Newcastle United fans are all too familiar with themselves.

This season we have been somewhat spoiled by the football we have been seeing and lets face it, some fairly easy games. We haven’t been tested all that often but to be fair, when we have, we have stood up to the challenge and came our victorious. Tomorrows game will test us, I do not think we will keep a clean sheet and I suspect Leeds will attack us more than any other side has done this season. I’m not as confident as I have been for more games but I would like to think we will leave with at least 1 point. Leave with 3 and I’ll be over the moon.