Leeds United’s upcoming opponents, Plymouth Argyle, will be missing four key first-team players this weekend, including new injuries to vital defenders. With a title race in sight, Leeds will view this as a must-win fixture to keep up momentum.
Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth face an uphill battle to stay in the division, and stats from their first 12 games suggest that taking points at Elland Road will be a near-impossible feat.
Darko Gyabi, on loan from Leeds, is automatically ineligible for Plymouth’s visit to Elland Road, while Ibrahim Cissoko misses his third game after a red card in the 5-0 Cardiff defeat.
Adding to Wayne Rooney’s challenges, two key defenders—full-back Joe Edwards and centre-back Lewis Gibson—are ruled out due to injuries sustained in last weekend’s dramatic draw against Preston, as reported by LeedsLive. This leaves Rooney with a major reshuffle to navigate for Saturday’s match.
Lewis Gibson, with 11 league appearances, and Joe Edwards, with 10, have been pivotal in Plymouth’s backline this season, despite the team’s defensive struggles. Plymouth currently has the highest xG conceded in the league and the second-most actual goals conceded, highlighting their vulnerability at the back even with these key defenders.
Plymouth fans are bracing for a tough trip to Leeds this weekend, with Wayne Rooney’s latest press conference delivering more bad news. Missing two key defenders, on-loan midfielder Darko Gyabi, and suspended forward Ibrahim Cissoko, the Pilgrims are feeling the weight of their lineup setbacks.One fan, @NftTyco, captured the mood, asking, “What’s the record for lowest goal difference?”
Many fans have expressed their frustration—some in terms too strong to publish—reflecting the uphill battle Wayne Rooney and Plymouth face, not only against Leeds at Elland Road but throughout the season as they fight to avoid relegation. The pressure is mounting as these setbacks underscore the tough road ahead.
Every stat this season points to Leeds United as clear favorites to secure three points against Plymouth, with a win potentially pushing them back into the top two. With Plymouth’s struggles in defense and missing key players, Leeds will view this as a prime opportunity to strengthen their promotion campaign.
Of course, football isn’t won on paper, and Wayne Rooney will aim to make things challenging for Leeds at Elland Road, just as every team has since their relegation. Leeds also face their own injury issues, but the contrast in squad depth between the two sides will likely be evident when the lineups are revealed, highlighting the uphill task Plymouth faces.