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'Leeds are so fast and direct'
Rob Edwards, former Wolves boss, talking about Leeds on Sky Sports:
Kick-off closing in!
Not long now.
The warm-ups are finished, the stands are filling up at a rapid rate, and it's very almost go time.
You guys may think this is just a mid-table game, but I'm telling you, it's going to be a cracker.
Trust me... (although I'm quite often wrong, whoops)
'There's always a ferocious atmosphere at Elland Road'
Alan Shearer, former Newcastle striker, speaking to Betfair:
I'm going to go for a Newcastle away win. They’re unbeaten this season, two wins in the cup, and three in the league. I am going to go for an away win, and I hope the boys can keep this good run going.
Good omens for the Geordies
If I were a Newcastle fan, I'd be confident.
Why do I say that? Well, when Newcastle normally rock up to Elland Road, it goes pretty well.
Newcastle have only lost one of their last eight Premier League visits to Leeds, a 5-2 defeat at Elland Road in December 2020.
They have one four of those games, drawing the other three.
'A lot rests on new boy Fernandez-Pardo'
Craig Hope at Elland Road:
A lot, it seems, rests on the slender shoulders on Matias Fernandez-Pardo in reversing that trend. The 21-year-old, a £51million marquee arrival from Lille this month, is making his full debut here and that has generated great excitement among the Toon Army. It will be fascinating to see how he fits in.
Farke: 'We have to be switched on'
Daniel Farke, Leeds boss, speaking to Sky Sports:
After many years of suffering, our supporters deserve it. We are far from taking our feet off the ground. We know that the second year after promotion is a very hard year.
Eddie Howe has implemented a legacy here and the players he has left, Matthias is trying to work with it. It’s been an impressive start. They’re very dangerous with quick attacks on the counter. Many pacey players up front. We have to make sure we don’t lose the ball too easily and be switched on to deal with the counter-attacks.
Atmosphere building
I'm genuinely so excited for tonight.
As the sun sets on Elland Road, the fans are flocking to their seats in the stadium, and you can feel that buzz get louder.
It is pretty much a given that we are in for one hell of an atmosphere this evening; Elland Road always delivers under the lights.
Newcastle fans are a cracking set of away support, too. They always make heaps of noise.
It's going to be a cauldron tonight, Elland Road.
Calvert-Lewin's Geordie hot streak
Dominic Calvert-Lewin loves the Geordies.
Whenever the Leeds man comes up against Newcastle, it feels like he bags a goal.
In fact, Calvert-Lewin has scored more Premier League goals against Newcastle than any other side. He's netted seven times against them.
The striker actually scored against the Magpies last season in what was a ridiculous but thrilling 4-3 defeat at St. James Park. That was honestly one of the best games of the season.
But can Calvert-Lewin bag against Newcastle again? Let's see.
Miley mark II
What a moment.
We all remember when young Lewis Miley broke into the Newcastle senior squad for the first time, don't we?
Well, his younger brother, Mason, has been named on the Magpies bench for a Premier League game for the very first time. The lad is only 17 years of age, crazy.
If he is as good as his brother, Lewis, then Newcastle have another talented boy on their hands.
Just imagine if he is better...
'Jaissle has made an impact'
Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender, speaking about Newcastle boss Mathias Jaissle on Sky Sports:
Home team hoodoo
It's been a very strange weekend in the Premier League.
Now, it may not feel like it has been, but trust me, the results say otherwise.
I said it earlier, but I will just remind you that not a single home side has won in the top tier this weekend. Do you know how mental that is?
Should Leeds fail to beat Newcastle tonight, it will be the first Premier League matchweek with no home wins since the weekend of 23/24 September 2000, when there were seven draws and three away wins.
How's stat?
Farke: 'We need to use our momentum'
Daniel Farke, Leeds boss, speaking to Sky Sports:
You always have to deliver in the best league in the world. If you think at any time 'I don't have to do the basics, I'm a superstar' then you are not good enough any more. I'm a big believer in you get what you are willing to invest.
But if you know yourself to be doing one step less, or working with just 98 per cent, you are not good enough. The culture is more important than any individual. Of course we have outstanding individuals, they have good chances to play every week, but every player has to show the best of themselves every day.
