please log in to view this image Leeds United vs Bolton Wanderers please log in to view this image Saturday March 8th, 2014 - K.O 15:00 - Elland Road please log in to view this image An opportunity to turn our attention as Leeds fans back towards the football field instead of the goings on off the field once again. Last weekend saw Leeds draw 1-1 with QPR on the road, a result that some people felt were two points dropped due to the R's recent form. Leeds put in a reasonable performance, and new signing Conor Wickham was unlucky to beat the post after flashing a shot across goal that could have clinched it for the Whites. The playoffs look to be a bridge too far now, and the focus must surely be which players will still be in a Leeds shirt next season? Bolton have been struggling this season, but managed an emphatic 4-0 home win last time out, which has no doubt buoyed Freedmans men. They'll arrive at Elland Road looking to take something away from the game, maybe looking to capitalise on the uncertainty around the Yorkshire club. What Do the Stats Say? Looking at the stats here there is literally nothing to separate these two. History shows 20 wins each in previous league meetings, and both teams have taken 8 points from their last 5 games in the league. Bolton are finding a bit of form, with back to back wins in their last two. That's been something of a rarity under Dougie Freedman this season, but the travelling support will be hoping the run can continue in their bid to secure Championship status for next season. Leeds on the other hand haven't tasted victory in the last 3 league games, a run which has seen their playoff hopes evaporate. However, with less than 2.5 goals scored in Leeds' last 3, and Bolton failing to win in their last 5 on the road this game could just fizzle out. 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]Bolton[/TD] [TD]X - L - X - W - W[/TD] [TD="align: center"]9[/TD] [TD="align: center"]4[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds[/TD] [TD]W - W - L - D - X[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/TD] [TD="align: center"]4[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/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="align: center"]Bolton[/TD] [TD="align: center"]51[/TD] [TD="align: center"]20[/TD] [TD="align: center"]11[/TD] [TD="align: center"]20[/TD] [TD="align: center"]91[/TD] [TD="align: center"]83[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/TD] [TD="align: center"]71[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="align: center"]Leeds[/TD] [TD="align: center"]51[/TD] [TD="align: center"]20[/TD] [TD="align: center"]11[/TD] [TD="align: center"]20[/TD] [TD="align: center"]83[/TD] [TD="align: center"]91[/TD] [TD="align: center"]-8[/TD] [TD="align: center"]71[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Early Betting Odds (Correct on 06/03/14) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD="align: center"]Leeds Win[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Draw[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Bolton Win[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="align: center"] 5/4[/TD] [TD="align: center"] 11/5[/TD] [TD="align: center"] 11/5[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Leeds United Top Scorers (League) Ross McCormack...23 Matt Smith...7 Rodolph Austin...2 Championship leading scorer Ross McCormack will hope to once again add to his tally here, along with continuing what looked to be the start of a promising partnership with Conor Wickham who will make his home debut. Loanee goalkeeper Jack Butland is also in line for a home debut, as Brian McDermott has the pick of his players. Sam Byram has been struggling recently with yet another niggle, but he made a (very brief) sub appearance last weekend, and could be in line to reclaim his position from Lee Peltier. Bolton Wanderers Top Scorers (League) Andre Moritz...6 Jermaine Beckford...6 Neil Danns...4 Top scorer Andre Moritz is back in the squad for this one, though Dougie Freedman still has long term injuries to Stuart Holden, Marc Tierney and, Joe Riley. Bolton are largely expected to be unchanged after that impressive 4-0 win last time out, with Jutkiewicz leading the line in front of an attacking midfield. Durham's Prediction: 2-1 Win Even if the season is over, we need to pick up a win to stop this bad run of form, I personally think now is the time for McDermott to be looking at players who he is unsure will be used next season. Rosco and Wickham to ignite a great partnership, but ultimately I think we'll be overwhelmed in midfield and have to nick a goal to win this one. please log in to view this image Similar squad to last time out from me, I despair with Kebe's form and so why not give Byram a chance there. Peltier at RB is better than Kebe at RW for me, so let's just see what happens. Byram proved he was effective going forwards as part of our 3-5-2. Stewart has done slightly better so he stays on the left, and Murphy and Brown in the centre for me, purely to help break down up some of the play in the middle of the park. I'd bring Mowatt in at some point through the game, or start him if Brown has another one of those contract extension clauses. Over to the not606 faithful, let's have some score and team predictions
Good thread but I don't agree with McD trying out players. With the current uncertainty, there is a possibility of admin this season. Until takeover is ratified, we have to get to 64 or 65 points to ensure survival if we did get a -15. Six points at home this week would go along way towards that target. Not so sure this lot has back to back wins in them though
Bet on Beckford to steal a draw. Probably won';t celebrate, as he knows he's Leeds through and through. The sooner he comes back to us the better. Should be a good game. Maybe Kebe and Stewart will finally start to supply the bullets for Wickham and Ross to knock in. I'll go for Leeds to win 2-0. But expect Beckford to spoil the party.
I would swap Peltier for Byram in defence, I would then put Pugh or White wide left as I think Stewart is useless and wide right I would play Mowatt, Norris or Tonge, doesn't matter which one, they are all better than Kebe.
Before or after Alan Smith returns (that's for Shako)? Never going to happen. Time to move on was years ago.
Wouldn't play Mowatt (who is left footed) Norris or Tonge on the right personally, I'd be more likely to play Ariyibi if your not a fan of Byram in the RM position. Did anyone see McD's interview on Kebe?
Didn't see it. Presume he called him a pile of crap? Otherwise I whatever else he said will have been nonsense
He was saying he has been through the same thing with Kebe at Reading when he first starting playing there the fans was on his back as he wasn't performing but he came through it to become a crowd favourite and so on....
I swore I wouldn't bite, but feck it anyway.......Smith can stay the feck away and also Beckford .....money grabbing the grass is greener in the premier****....... Forgot to say that this has a big 0.0 written all over it.......
Won't matter cos one way or the other Kebe will be gone in 14 games. One thing I find very irritating about McD is he can't get through an interview without harping on about his reading success. That's well in the past and he needs to start produce some sort of success at Leeds. Winning just over a third of his games in a season is not success
If I hear beemacdee use the phrase "that's what's important" one more time I will spear his tongue to a table with a pitchfork!
hopefully 2-0, had a right laugh earlier, Elland tips Stewert to score 2 pmsl, come on elland have you sponsored him some drugs
To be fair, I think it is fact that Beckford was signed from a non-league team and was only offered an exxtension of his deal with no increase which most would agree he deserved. I blame the Bates & Mates gang for his departure, the same as many of our other better players during that sentence. I found him to be a frustrating player - so much talent but too moody to be a consistently good performer or to put in the graft when not getting service.
I don't know what to make of this regarding a possible tv stream tomorrow: http://www.livesoccertv.com/competitions/england/championship/ Any thoughts?
If you are watching/ listening to a stream ur a #### Still time to catch the American Airlines red eye into Manchester on 22/3
