please log in to view this image Leeds United v Sheffield Wednesday please log in to view this image Saturday August 17th, 2013 - K.O 12:15 - Elland Road please log in to view this image It's Yorkshire Derby time again! Saturday sees Sheffield Wednesday make the short trip to Elland Road, though looking at the season opening form of both sides it might not be a happy visit for the away side. Recent history with these two sides does not favour a draw as the outcome with last seasons draw at Hillsborough the first since the 96/97 season. It's probably an understatement to say that this fixture usually has a lively atmosphere, and Dave Jones knows that more than most. The last time these sides met at Elland Road it was eventful to say the least (handballs, handfaces...), and Sheffield Wednesday can expect to be met by a wall of noise with the Leeds crowds back on the up this season. While last weeks 0-0 draw away at Leicester offered up some solid, if unimaginative, play from the Whites, the Owls were humbled at home by Burnley. Jones will be looking to halt the slide, which has seen them suffer three straight 2-1 defeats to open the season, and with bragging rights on the table here there is no doubt they will arrive in Leeds fired up for the encounter. For Leeds it is a case of continuing the early season work, the fans would like to see a bit more endeavour going forward, but few will complain with picking up 4 points from the first 2 games against strong opposition. As the transfer window pushes on to it's close, rumours have surfaced that El Hadji-Diouf will be sacrificed from the wage bill, and that the club are willing to listen to offers. Leeds fans, however, would prefer the Owls to follow up on last seasons loan deal and take Danny Pugh off their hands. After a busy transfer window though, with 10 players leaving and 6 arriving, it seems unlikely Dave Jones will further add to his squad. Form Guide (Last 5 Games) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Team[/TD] [TD]Form[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds United[/TD] [TD]L - W - W - W - W[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/TD] [TD="align: center"]4[/TD] [TD="align: center"]12[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Sheff Wed[/TD] [TD]W - X - L - L - L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]5[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/TD] [TD="align: center"]4[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Head to Head (Previous League Games) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD="align: center"]Team[/TD] [TD="align: center"]P[/TD] [TD="align: center"]W[/TD] [TD="align: center"]D[/TD] [TD="align: center"]L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]GD[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds[/TD] [TD="align: center"]82[/TD] [TD="align: center"]35[/TD] [TD="align: center"]20[/TD] [TD="align: center"]27[/TD] [TD="align: center"]128[/TD] [TD="align: center"]139[/TD] [TD="align: center"]-11[/TD] [TD="align: center"]125[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Sheff Wed[/TD] [TD="align: center"]82[/TD] [TD="align: center"]27[/TD] [TD="align: center"]20[/TD] [TD="align: center"]35[/TD] [TD="align: center"]139[/TD] [TD="align: center"]128[/TD] [TD="align: center"]+11[/TD] [TD="align: center"]101[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Early Betting Odds (Correct on 15/8/13) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Leeds Win[/TD] [TD]Draw[/TD] [TD]Sheff Wed Win[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]21/20[/TD] [TD]12/5[/TD] [TD]5/2[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Team News Leeds United Leeds are without the services of Sam Byram still, and there has been little in the way of information surrounding the fitness of El Hadji-Diouf. Other than that, Brian McDermott has the pick of his players going into this one. With a solid defensive display the spine of the team may well be unchanged from that which faced Leicester, though some alterations could be made in the attacking four. Rudy Austin is likely to reprise his new role as the club captain here, after an excellent display last weekend. Ones to Watch Ross McCormack - there's been a lot of interest in Ross in recent weeks and for good reason. He will be the man the team look for to drive the attack on. Rodolph Austin - looked like a new player with the armband on Sunday, his enthusiasm for the game is infectious. Luke Murphy - the new boy might not be 100% the finished product yet, but he has settled into the Leeds midfield very comfortably. Sheffield Wednesday Wednesday are without Joe Mattock through injury and Jermaine Johnson who serves the second of a three game ban for this one. Defensive duo Reda Johnson and Lewis Buxton are back from injury and could well feature here though. So too could Giles Coke who missed their last fixture through illness. Other than that, Dave Jones has all of his players available including summer signings Atdhe Nuhiu and Jérémy Hélan. Ones to Watch Michail Antonio - a lively dangerous midfielder who chips in with more than his fair share of goals, and was the Owls top scorer last season. Jérémy Hélan - Hélan has a dangerous amount of pace to throw at the Leeds fullbacks, something of an unproven winger at this level he has started well since joining in the summer. Atdhe Nuhiu - A realtively unknown striker who doesn't have the best history of profligacy, but with no Leroy Lita this year Wednesday will be relying on him to come up with the goods. Durham's Prediction I'm going to stick my neck on the line and say our attack will get it together and we'll go 3-1 winners here. I think Wednesday will score first, but we'll dominate the game. We might be lacking that spark up front some times, but I just can't see where the goals are coming from in their team. If we defend as well as we did against Leicester we should have no problem nullifying their attacks. My line up would be almost identical to that which started against Leicester, with a couple of changes: please log in to view this image I'm belligerently sticking to my dislike of the diamond formation, and I almost went for a narrow 4-3-3 like I did against Leicester, but at home I think we should be trying to be more expansive than that. Thompson in for Peltier, for two reasons. 1) Peliter has looked a bit rusty this season, and he doesn't fill me with confidence going forwards 2) Because Thompson would have a good challenge against the Wednesday wingers, and so it would be a good time to prove whether he is going to make the step up. The front 4 I've really put down in any order as I see them interchanging as has been the case in previous games. I'd like to see Poleon given the chance to start as he's looked very good every time he's come off the bench. Austin and Murphy will see to attacks coming through the middle and provide a bit more cover should the defence have any issues, but I think this game will be decided on our attacking strength rather than our defence. Miguel Lera had his fun last season at ER against Becchio and hoofball, but with the ball coming into feet this time around, he'll have to find a different approach. Smith should get on from the bench again, and Green will offer some relief for one of the midfield positions should we need it. Pick TV on Freeview is Carrying the Sky Games this Saturday. Possible Audio Links for Saturday: BBC Radio Leeds FM Coverage (whitenoisefc on ustream) & ustream leeds are two pretty reliable options. Alright, over to you guys. Let's get some team & score predictions going...
...................Kenny.................. Peltier....Lees.....Pearce.....Warnock.. .................Austin.................... ...Murphy...................Green..... ...............McCormack........... ......Poleon.............Varney.... 4-0 Leeds
seeing as we've got about 25 CM's I think we have to play the diamond It more or less picks itself, maybe Tonge for Green and Hunt for either Poleon or Varney, and that's about it really. Would be good to see Poleon get a start though.
Can't see Poleon getting a start yet. There's a fair old difference from coming off the bench to starting the game. I also think Tonge is one of the few players we've got that can put his foot on the ball & slow a match down, so he'll be on the bench IMO. I think it will be more like this (and it pains me to add in Varney!) ... ...................Kenny.................. Peltier....Lees.....Pearce.....Warnock.. .................Austin.................... ...Murphy...................Green..... ...............McCormack........... ......Hunt.............Varney....
If ehd is not going he should replace tonge, as he really can put his foot on the ball and pick a pass.
Still not sure EHD is over the injury/infection thing that he had going on. Tonge has looked good when he's featured this time out though, not good enough to be starting for me, but good.
I'd go for Jock's line up but again I wouldn't have Varney there. Let's put in Poleon and see what he can do if he starts
Another gread match thread Durham keep em coming 3-0 Leeds and I would love to see Poleon get some more game time. Prutton to get sent off
Great preview. Looking forward the game and I reckon 2-0 Leeds. We'll be top top top top top of the league (for nearly 3 hours).
Team for today: Poleon In, Hunt Out: Kenny, Peltier, Lees, Pearce, Warnock, Green, Austin, Murphy, McCormack, Poleon, Varney Looks like we're going the diamond, Varney and Poleon up top
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