With only two games remaining to try to salvage their Premier League status, Leeds United welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Elland Road for Sunday afternoon's clash.
The Whites went down 3-0 to European champions Chelsea in midweek, while the Seagulls have had a week to reflect on their 4-0 trouncing of Manchester United.
Match preview
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While Jesse Marsch was temporarily able to steady the ship, he may not be able to prevent it from sinking completely, as a run of three straight defeats to three members of the Premier League's Big Six has brought the Whites crashing back down to earth after their five-game unbeaten streak.
Leeds may have threatened the unlikeliest of comebacks at the Emirates in their eventual 2-1 loss to Arsenal, but they were swept aside by Chelsea on Wednesday night as Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku all netted for the Blues at Elland Road.
Losing another player to suspension rubbed salt into the wounds for Leeds, whose survival destiny is now out of their own hands as they occupy 18th spot in the table - two points adrift of Everton and behind Burnley on goal difference having played a game more than both clubs.
Everton could complete their survival task against Brentford, but with Burnley facing a daunting trip to Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds will do everything in their power to gain the upper hand in the relegation dogfight before travelling to the Bees on the final day.
Conceding nine goals in their last three games has contributed to Marsch's side letting in a total of 77 throughout the campaign - just one behind the leakiest defence of Norwich City - and Brighton were in a particularly ruthless mood in their most recent encounter.
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Graham Potter came out head and shoulders above Ralf Rangnick in the tactical battle last weekend, as Brighton outclassed, outfought and simply embarrassed the 20-time English champions in front of a jubilant home crowd during a South coast drubbing.
Moises Caicedo, Pascal Gross, Leandro Trossard and the club's Player of the Season Marc Cucurella were all on target for the merciless Seagulls at the Amex, and Potter's side sure are finishing with a flourish as they seek to confirm a top-half finish in the last two gameweeks.
A spate of four victories from their last six has seen Brighton cement their place in ninth - two points clear of Leicester City having played a game more - and Potter's side could still usurp Wolverhampton Wanderers to break into the top eight of the rankings.
Such a possibility will be decided on the final-day meeting between Brighton and West Ham, and they head to Elland Road having triumphed in three of their last four league matches away from home, against Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves no less.
Furthermore, Brighton are yet to concede a goal to Leeds in the Premier League since the Whites' 2020 return to the big time, with the first meeting between the two clubs earlier this season ending goalless, but a similar streak of profligacy for the Whites here and their relegation fears will deepen tenfold.
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Team News
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With Luke Ayling already watching on from the naughty step after his sending off at the Emirates, Daniel James is also sitting out the rest of the season after a nasty tackle on Mateo Kovacic led to his early dismissal on Wednesday.
Jack Harrison lasted just 37 minutes against Chelsea due to a contusion but should be fine for this game, while Crysencio Summerville, Tyler Roberts, Stuart Dallas and Adam Forshaw continue their spells on the sidelines.
Marsch has not ruled out the prospect of Patrick Bamford earning some minutes here, but they will surely come from the bench, as Joe Gelhardt hopes to take advantage of James's absence to spearhead the charge.
Meanwhile, Brighton boss Potter has revealed that Enock Mwepu has taken part in some light training, but the midfielder's groin injury will still not let up in time for the trip to Leeds.
Jeremy Sarmiento and Jakub Moder also remain sidelined for the visitors, with Potter expecting to work with the same crop of players from the thumping of Man United.
Ex-Red Devil Danny Welbeck did not get on the scoresheet against his old club, but he has relegated Neal Maupay to the bench and should not be in any danger of losing his place in the XI.
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Koch, Llorente, Cooper, Firpo; Klich, Phillips; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison; Gelhardt
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; March, Veltman, Dunk, Cucurella; Bissouma, Caicedo; Gross, Mac Allister, Trossard; Welbeck
We say: Leeds United 0-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Momentum and morale in the visiting camp could hardly be higher right now, and the giant-killing Seagulls also boast a much fresher squad and complement of options off the bench compared to their depleted hosts.
The highly-anticipated return of Liam Cooper did not do much good for Leeds in midweek, and with the quick turnaround also working against them, we can only back Potter's in-form side to get the job done - with another clean sheet in tow - and leave the Whites in major trouble in the process.
For additional data used by our team to analyse our suggested result please click here.
