Key Points
- Leeds United host Arsenal at Elland Road on Saturday, 31 January 2026, in the Premier League, with kick-off at 15:00 UK time.
- Arsenal lead the Premier League table with 50 points from 23 games (15 wins, 5 draws, 3 losses, 42-17 goal difference), four points ahead of Manchester City.
- Leeds United sit 16th with 26 points from 23 games (6 wins, 8 draws, 9 losses, 31-38 goal difference), six points clear of relegation trouble.
- Leeds boast strong home form, unbeaten in three recent matches, with wins over Chelsea and Fulham, draws against Liverpool and Manchester United, and a recent 1-1 draw at Everton.
- Arsenal arrive off a 2-3 league defeat to Manchester United, but won 3-2 against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League and drew 0-0 at Nottingham Forest.
- Arsenal have dominated Leeds since 2021, winning all seven meetings (e.g., 5-0, 4-1, 0-1, 2-1, 1-4, 4-2), averaging nearly four goals per game.
- Leeds midfielder Ilia Gruev predicted an “intense game” ahead of the clash.
- Daniel Farke has praised Ethan Ampadu’s recent displays as “Rolls Royce” performances.
- Predicted Leeds lineup (various sources): GK Karl Darlow; defenders Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon, Sebastiaan Bornauw; midfielders James Justin, Ilia Gruev, Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, Jayden Bogle; forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson.
- Predicted Arsenal lineup: GK David Raya; defenders Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães; midfielders Martin Ødegaard, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice; forwards Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyökeres (or Kai Havertz), Leandro Trossard.
- Key Leeds players: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (9 league goals), Brenden Aaronson (7 goal contributions).
- Key Arsenal players: Bukayo Saka (more assists than goals), Declan Rice (defensive and attacking threat).
- Score predictions: Inside Futbol tips Leeds 1-2 Arsenal; MightyTips predicts Arsenal 3-1.
- Leeds recent form (league): DWLDD; Arsenal: LDDWW.
- Injuries: Leeds’ Daniel James out with hamstring; Arsenal light on injuries, with Calafiori and Havertz back in training.
- Leeds caused headaches for Manchester City in November, beat Chelsea, drew Liverpool and Manchester United.
- A Leeds win could boost survival bid; Arsenal slip-up impacts title race against Manchester City.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) January 31, 2026 – Leeds United face Premier League leaders Arsenal at Elland Road this afternoon in a crucial clash that pits survival hopes against title aspirations, with the Gunners nursing wounds from a midweek defeat to Manchester United. Daniel Farke’s Whites, riding a wave of resilient home form, aim to extend their unbeaten run and prove a stumbling block for Mikel Arteta’s side, who hold a slender four-point lead atop the table. Ilia Gruev has warned of an “intense game,” underscoring the high stakes as Leeds seek points to solidify their position six clear of the drop zone.
- Key Points
- What is Leeds United’s Recent Form?
- How Have Arsenal Performed Lately?
- Who Are the Predicted Lineups?
- What is the Head-to-Head Record?
- Who Are the Key Players to Watch?
- What Do Experts Predict for the Score?
- Where Can Fans Watch the Match?
- Why Does This Game Matter in the Title Race and Relegation Battle?
What is Leeds United’s Recent Form?
Leeds United have shown grit in their return to the Premier League after promotion via the Championship title last season. As reported by analysts at MightyTips, the Whites are six points clear of relegation trouble, unbeaten in three league outings, with home wins over Chelsea and Crystal Palace, plus draws against Liverpool and Manchester United providing momentum.
Their latest result was a 1-1 draw at Everton on Merseyside, where James Justin slotted home from an Anton Stach cross after dominating the first half, according to the official Leeds United preview on leedsunited.com. Prior matches include a 1-0 home win over Fulham, a 3-1 FA Cup victory at Derby County, a 4-3 loss at Newcastle United, and another 1-1 draw with Manchester United. Daniel Farke’s side have only kept clean sheets in two of their last 21 games, but they have scored in each of their last nine home matches.
Farke has experimented with formations like 3-4-2-1 and 3-5-2 to keep opponents guessing, as noted by Inside Futbol reporters. Ethan Ampadu has been pivotal, with Farke dubbing his displays “Rolls Royce” performances, while one player hailed the German as a “top coach.”
How Have Arsenal Performed Lately?
Arsenal head into Elland Road as league leaders but with questions after a 2-3 Premier League defeat to Manchester United, which eroded their lead over Manchester City. As detailed by Inside Futbol, this loss came despite a 3-2 Champions League win over minnows Kairat Almaty, highlighting potential nerves in the dressing room.
MightyTips reports Arsenal’s recent league form as LDDWW, including a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest and a 3-2 Carabao Cup win at Chelsea. They top the table with the best defence, conceding just 17 goals in 23 games, and have won eight from eight in Europe. Declan Rice and Mikel Merino return from suspensions, bolstering options.
Arteta’s men have silenced doubters after three runner-up finishes, but five of their last six games produced four or more goals, and they have just one clean sheet in six. As Inside Futbol states,
“The loss definitely wiped off at least some advantage the Gunners had built over second-placed Manchester City and now the margin for error is minimal.”
Who Are the Predicted Lineups?
Predicted lineups vary slightly across sources, reflecting tactical flexibility. Inside Futbol forecasts for Leeds: Darlow; Rodon, Bornauw, Struijk, Bogle; Gruev, Ampadu, Stach; Justin, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin versus Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
MightyTips offers a similar Leeds XI: Darlow; Struijk, Rodon, Bornauw; Justin, Gruev, Ampadu, Stach, Bogle; Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson. For Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Ødegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard. Injuries sideline Leeds’ Daniel James (hamstring), while Arsenal welcome back Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz.
These selections emphasise Leeds’ attacking intent without shying from Arsenal’s quality.
What is the Head-to-Head Record?
Arsenal have dominated recent encounters. MightyTips notes seven wins since 2021, including 5-0 and 4-1 Arsenal home victories, 0-1 at Leeds, 2-1 and 1-4 Arsenal wins, and 4-2, averaging nearly four goals per game with three clean sheets.
Four of the last five meetings ended over 2.5 goals, pointing to open contests. Inside Futbol recalls Leeds’ second Premier League game back ending in a 5-0 drubbing, but revenge burns at a fortress Elland Road.
Who Are the Key Players to Watch?
For Leeds, Dominic Calvert-Lewin anchors the attack with nine league goals, offering aerial threat and tracking back, earning praise from former player Michael Bridges. Brenden Aaronson provides seven goal contributions and work rate, hailed by ex-boss Simon Grayson as a “proper manager’s player.”
Ilia Gruev anticipates intensity, while Aaronson bridges midfield and attack. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka threatens with pace and more assists than goals, troubling wing-backs. Declan Rice pops up everywhere, tormenting opponents.
Viktor Gyökeres is in rhythm post-midweek.
What Do Experts Predict for the Score?
Inside Futbol predicts Leeds United 1-2 Arsenal, citing Gunners’ quality despite vulnerability.
“Arsenal have enough skill… to counter the Leeds threat,”
they write, while noting Leeds’ home strength.
MightyTips tips Arsenal 3-1, highlighting historical dominance and Leeds’ scoring home form but Arsenal’s defence. Betting stats support over 2.5 goals. A Leeds upset would statement survival; Arsenal victory restores momentum.
Where Can Fans Watch the Match?
The game is not live on UK TV but follow via club websites and LUTV, as per Leeds United’s preview and Inside Futbol. Action starts at 3pm from Elland Road.
Why Does This Game Matter in the Title Race and Relegation Battle?
As Inside Futbol reports,
“What happens inside Elland Road on Saturday now has the potential to be a key moment in the Premier League title race.”
Arsenal’s slim edge over City leaves no room for error post-Manchester United loss.
For Leeds, a win catapults safety, building on big-wig scalps like Manchester City headache in November, Chelsea victory, Liverpool and United draws. Farke insists his team can compete with Arsenal. MightyTips adds the 24-point gap belies Leeds’ home menace.
