please log in to view this image Leeds Utd v Birmingham City 1st January 2024@15:00hrs | Elland Road With Christmas now out of the way, Leeds will be hoping to turn over a new leaf, starting with the arrival of Birmingham City on New Years Day. A Lukas Jutkiewicz injury time penalty was all the separated the two sides when they met in August, but the arrival of Wayne Rooney has seen the Blues slip down the table to 20th. With just one win in fourteen, defeat against an out of form Leeds side could pile the pressure on the former Manchester Utd ace. It's a tall order. Leeds are unbeaten at home this season, and will be desperate to get back to winning ways having lost three from their last five, all away from home. Leeds are likely to be without the services of skipper Pascal Struijk. The 24yo has a groin strain that kept him out of the side that lost to West Brom on Friday evening. Liam Cooper is likely to deputise. Karl Darlow will deputise for the suspended Illan Meslier, who serves his second of three games excluded from the squad. please log in to view this image With Sam Byram fit again, it allowed Djed Spence an opportunity to play in his preferred right back role, and give Archie Gray a well deserved rest. Expect more of the same against Brum. Ilia Gruev received mixed for his performance at the Hawthorns, though to be fair Sofascore (7.3) were full of praise for the Bulgarian International. It remains to be seen whether he retains his place, or Kamara is recalled. Dan James too, was rested last time out, allowing Wilfred Gnonto a rare start. It wasn't the most convincing performance, but it's difficult to be critical when the entire team could under muster one shot on target all night. Expectation will fall on strike duo Rutter and Piroe doing a lot better than they have been in December, but with slim pickings from the bench, the Whites may have to make do. Luke Ayling (leg), Jamie Shackleton (hamstring) and Stuart Dallas (leg) continue to miss out. Birmingham City will be without the services of Cody Drameh, who is not eligible to play against his parent club. Marc Roberts has had a reoccurrence of a hamstring injury, and returns to the physio table whilst Lee Buchanan returns after a concussion.
The talk is, if they get well beaten, he could be getting his P45, as long as Steve Cooper takes up the offer of the job. Another reason to want a big win
Another reason would be that Cooper might improve them enough to make them harder to beat for the other teams around us. Yes I'm straw-clutching
1 win in 14...... attention big banana alert every man and his dog know that this is dangerous territory as far as Leeds go,we are the kings of giving teams a boost when they are on a nosedive but hopefully the realisation of auto's slipping away will give them the necessary kick up the and send Shrek and his entourage of grannies back to the bullring with zero points, come on Leeds no free gifts the season of goodwill is over time to play the villain.....
We do have the knack of ending teams woeful run of results, Blues 12/1 if anyone fancies them, big price in a 2 horse race, where the favourites aren't in great form.
Good afternoon everyone, and a very happy new year to you all. On paper the result looks a forgone conclusion, but as your all saying, never that straightforward with Leeds. And i honestly fear this one
More or less no Footie for two weeks after today so no excuse for every one of them not giving 110% Fa weekends are similar to international breaks
Read that as Farke will replace Piroe. I know Farke was a striker, but not sure if he can last 90 minutes
OK folks don't shoot the messenger but from someone who is pretty reliable. Wait for it.....Piroe out Bamford in Someone much less reliable saying Klaesson in goal Actually the Klaesson rumour gathering momentum, Darlow apparently disl9cated his thumb in the West Brom warm up but they managed it, now swollen pretty badly is what's out there
Sounds a bit desperate to play Paddy when Joseph was ahead of him 2 games ago. The irony won't be lost on me if Bamford plays 9 and Georginio plays 10.
Get what you're saying but Bamford is a different type of nine to Piroe and it's a combination that's worth taking a look at in my opinion, that's as long as we play balls in behind for Paddy rather than always looking to feet which is not really his game
