On a three-game winning run, Kings XI Punjab are looking absolutely unstoppable at the moment. A team that were grasping for straws to escape rock-bottom earlier in the season, who would have envisaged KXIP turning their fortunes around so quickly? They picked up an amazing result on the last matchday, delivering a superb display to defeat table-toppers Delhi Capitals by five wickets. For this upcoming game, Lokesh Rahul and Mayank Agarwal are likely to continue in their opening batting role for the side. Alongside Nicholas Pooran, Chris Gayle has been in magnificent form lately, controlling the middle order strongly. The potential return of Glenn Murray to the lineup makes KXIPs batting unit all the more frightening. Also, their bowling order have massively improved recently.
The Peacocks have returned to the elite division of English football this season. As for beginners, the team’s start can be called quite successful. Marcelo Bielsa has built a truly combat-ready team, which is unlikely to fall behind in the current championship, judging by the first matches. Leeds announced their fighting efficiency already in the opening round, when they gave a real fight to Liverpool at Anfield, although they lost. Then there were victories over Fulham (4:3) and Sheffield United (1:0). The number of successes also includes the home meeting in the match with Manchester City (1:1). Peacocks were inferior during the match, but managed to show their character and win back. But in the last round against Wolverhamton they failed to save the fight and lost at home 0:1. Moreover, in the match against the “Wolves” the main defensive player Calvin Phillips was injured. The national team player will now be out of work for at least a month and a half. In addition to him, Adam Forshaw, Gaetano Berardi and Diego Liorente are in the club’s infirmary. Perhaps Liam Cooper will not play in the match. After five rounds in the standings Leeds are in tenth place.
