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Premier League | Gameweek 9
Nov 22, 2020 at 4.30pm UK
Elland Road
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Leeds
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Arsenal


Dallas (15'), Cooper (86'), Phillips (90+3')
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Pepe (52')

Kalvin Phillips in contention to start for Leeds against Arsenal

The England international is likely to start against Arsenal on Sunday.

Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips is back in contention and expected to start Sunday's home Premier League game against Arsenal.

Phillips tore shoulder ligaments in last month's home defeat to Wolves and has missed Leeds' last three Premier League matches, including successive 4-1 defeats to Leicester and Crystal Palace.

When asked if the England international was fit enough to start at Elland Road, boss Marcelo Bielsa said: "It's probable. I can't guarantee it, but it's probable."

Leeds will also be boosted by the return of club record signing Rodrigo, who has also missed the last two games after a period of isolation having recently tested positive for Covid-19.

"It's less likely he (Rodrigo) will start," Bielsa added. "But he will be there (in the squad)."

Phillips' presence in front of Bielsa's defence has been sorely missed as Leeds have slipped to 15th place following back-to-back defeats.

The 24-year-old's latest setback – he missed the final three games of last season due to a knee injury – also cost him his place in the England squad.

He missed the friendly win against the Republic of Ireland and last week's Nations League games against Belgium and Iceland.

"Phillips is a player who usually plays," Bielsa added. "The players who play regularly, it's always important to count on them.

"The evolution of Phillips is a constant one. He has a capacity to analyse and criticise himself and he finds what he needs to improve and correct his game – and he does this by himself."

Phillips' return is offset by news Pablo Hernandez will miss out due to a minor muscle strain, while fellow midfielder Jamie Shackleton (thigh) and defender Diego Llorente (groin) remain sidelined.

Skipper Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, Mateusz Klich, Tyler Roberts, Robin Koch and Ezgjan Alioski are all available following international duty.

Leeds confirmed earlier on Friday that defender Pascal Struijk had signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract.

The versatile 21-year-old has made five appearances for Leeds in all competitions this season, including four in the top flight.

Struijk, who arrived at Elland Road from Ajax in January 2018, made his first-team debut in the Sky Bet Championship last season in a 2-0 home win against Hull.

He made five league appearances in total as Leeds won the Championship title and started in their first Premier League game in 16 years against Liverpool at Anfield on the opening day of the current campaign.

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2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


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