please log in to view this image Leeds United vs AFC Bournemouth please log in to view this image Tuesday October 1st, 2013 - K.O 19:45 - Elland Road please log in to view this image The midweek fixture see's a downbeat Leeds United welcome Championship new boys AFC Bournemouth to Elland Road. After a disappointing result against rivals Millwall at the weekend, the Whites have extended their run of games without a win. While Brian McDermott is trying to find a solution in the loan market, the team need to come up with the goods in what is looking like a must win fixture for Leeds. Obviously it's too early in the season to talk about 'must win' in terms of positioning, but Leeds need to put an end to this slump and kick off October with a win. Bournemouth have had a solid start on their return to the third tier of English football. Aside from disappointing defeats at Watford and Huddersfield, there have been encouraging results against Middlesborough and Wigan for Eddie Howe's team. There is little history to this fixture (in terms of games played), with only 8 previous League meetings and one cup fixture. Leeds are unbeaten in the fixture, wining 7 of the 9 games so the history is certainly with Brian McDermott's team. Leeds have only failed to score on two occasions, and have put 3 past the cherries on 4 occasions. Could tonight see Leeds actually regain some competence in front of goal? Something that has been badly lacking in recent weeks. Form Guide (Last 5 League 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]Bournemouth[/TD] [TD]W - L - W - X - L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]7[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/TD] [TD="align: center"]7[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds United[/TD] [TD]L - W - L - L - L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]2[/TD] [TD="align: center"]6[/TD] [TD="align: center"]3[/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"]8[/TD] [TD="align: center"]6[/TD] [TD="align: center"]2[/TD] [TD="align: center"]0[/TD] [TD="align: center"]15[/TD] [TD="align: center"]3[/TD] [TD="align: center"]+12[/TD] [TD="align: center"]20[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Bournemouth[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/TD] [TD="align: center"]0[/TD] [TD="align: center"]2[/TD] [TD="align: center"]6[/TD] [TD="align: center"]3[/TD] [TD="align: center"]15[/TD] [TD="align: center"]-12[/TD] [TD="align: center"]2[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Early Betting Odds (Correct on 1/10/13) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Leeds Win[/TD] [TD]Draw[/TD] [TD]Bournemouth Win[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]19/20[/TD] [TD]13/5[/TD] [TD]16/5[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Team News Leeds United Brian McDermott has his choice of the squad for this game, Byram featured from the bench in the game against Millwall as he continues his recovery, but he could feature from the off here. Alex Mowatt had a good game against Millwall, and the young midfielder may be given a run out here as well. Lee Peltier and Michael Tonge attracted criticism from the supporters after the weekend game, and both could be displaced by the Leeds youngsters here. While McCormack was apparently played in a more advanced role on Saturday, he doesn't seem to be in a vein of form at the minute, so something needs to happen up front. Ones to Watch Ross McCormack - He badly needs to find the back of the net, but he still remains Leeds main creative threat. El Hadji Diouf - He very well might get a look in in this fixture, and he will want to take control of the midfield. Alex Mowatt - Impressed in his full league debut last weekend, and the young midfielder will want to pick up where he left off in that respect. AFC Bournemouth Eddie Howe will be without Richard Hughes for this fixture, who is out serving a suspension for a red card last weekend. Matt Ritchie, Shaun McDonald and Charlie Daniels are all looking doubtful for the Cherries as well. Leading scorers Grabban and Pitman are both available, and will provide the Leeds defence with plenty to think about. Ones to Watch Lewis Grabban - Grabban has been in fine form so far this season, picking up 5 goals in 8 games for his side. Andrew Surman - Surman is on loan from Southampton at the moment, and he is already proven at this level. Marc Pugh - The winger chips in with a consistent 5-10 goals per season, and as with every game this season, quality in width could cause Leeds some problems. Durham's Prediction Must win for me, we need to stop the rot and stop it now. If we lose tonight the lads confidence will go through the floor (unless it already has, then it'll go through the basement too) and we'll find it very difficult to stop the slide. While Bournemouth have been solid, they haven't been spectacular and they've conceded one of the highest amounts in the Championship this year. If we can start firing we could win it comfortably. I'm going for a 1-0 win to Leeds. We need the points, but we struggle to score at the minute. The team here is what I suggested for Millwall at the weekend, with the exception of Mowatt in for Tonge, and Poleon in for Varney. please log in to view this image I think Brian needs to keep things similar week to week. Wholesale changes aren't good for a team in this situation, but Peltier and Tonge deserve dropping I feel, and Poleon will give us something else up front, as Varney isn't doing much either. If I were to make more changes, I'd have gone for Lees over Pearce (not sure on Lees' status at the minute though?) and White over Warnock, because Warnock gave the ball away ALOT on Saturday. Diouf should get a start for the same reasons I suggested at the weekend, while he would slow the game down he just gives us an option to hold possession in midfield without Ross having to drop so deep to get the ball. Who knows, I'm not feeling particularly optimistic about this one it has to be said! Hopefully with Diouf controlling midfield, Austin backing him up and then Poleon and McCormack providing proper attacking options we might actually score. (Shock, Horror! I know.) If you find a decent audio link, drop it in the thread! OK, over to the not606 faithful. Let's hear score predictions and what team you think will go out. Sorry this one was a bit late, just wasn't able to get it posted yesterday.
They seem to score and concede quite a few. Another potential banana skin. 2-1 Leeds if we are lucky.
Cant see better than a draw with our lack of goals. 0-0 or maybe just a lucky 1-0 to kick start something
There is little history to this fixture, with only 8 previous League meetings and one cup fixture. I guess by little history you are only refering to the number of matches played. If you have ever been to Bournemouth away and drank in the pubs in town before the game you will know there is plenty of "history" 2-0 Leeds.
Yep, just meant number of previous games. Although I admit I didn't know there was a lively rivalry between us and Bournemouth?
We trashed Bournemouth on a bank holiday fixture and gained promotion. 1990 I think. Leeds fans behaved like a bunch of animals [video=youtube;iFPnZf_UXh0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFPnZf_UXh0[/video] [video=youtube;pYFNVKpIrXU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYFNVKpIrXU[/video]
I was just having a look at Bournemouth's results so far this season, what an up and down team they are. I have lost all faith in the Leeds squad at the moment, I can't see where we are going to get our next goal from so I am predicting a boring 1-1 with few chances. Elland if you read this put a bet on a highly entertaining 4-3
Hunt up front? Maybe I was in too much of a rush to be optimistic. That said, Ross is up front as well and Austin is at the head of the diamond. So not all bad. Lees back to replace Wooten. No CB on the bench, so maybe Wooten has a knock. No Byram starting either. A tad concerned, but I think we should have enough to win.
I need help guys. Stuck in London with a pathetic wifi signal, so need regular updates from you lot please
Seeing some reports that we're playing a flatter midfield 4 with Austin on the right, Mowatt on the left. If that's true, I'd imagine one of the strikers is playing slightly off the other. Probably Ross a bit deeper?