please log in to view this image Stoke City v Leeds United Thursday 26th December@20:00 | Bet365 Stadium Leeds have the perfect opportunity to close the gap at the top of the Championship on Boxing Day, but only if they can heap more misery on a Stoke side who have not won since early November. Another loss at the weekend, this time at the hands of ten men Sheffield Wednesday will do little for the Potters momentum, having only picked up four points from the last eight games. Leeds on the other hand will be brimming with confidence following their 4-0 demolition of Oxford Utd, thanks to Aaronson, Solomon and James all playing starring roles. With Sheffield Utd travelling to Burnley, a side with six wins and two draws from their previous eight games, even the most sceptical Leeds fans will expect Farke's side to at-least close the three point gap. Herein lies the problem - away from home Leeds have been very average. They've picked up 14 points on the road from ten games so far, seven less than Burnley, and eight less than Sheffield Utd who have played an away game more. Leeds last visit to the Bet365 Stadium (also a midweek game) ended badly for Farke's men, coming away empty handed after Bamford skied a penalty into row Z, followed minutes later by Struijk heading into his own net (after the ball ricochet off the bar). They'll be hoping for better fortunes this time. Injuries force line-up changes for both sides! The hosts will miss Ben Pearson in midfield, likely seeing Tatsuki Seko and Wouter Burger paired in a double pivot. A back three of Wilmot, Rose, and Gibson could protect Johansson in goal. Upfront, Cannon should lead the line, supported by Moran and Koumas. Leeds are also dealing with defensive absences. Firpo and Wober are out, and there are doubts regarding Pascal Struijk after missing the Oxford time due to a tight hamstring. With a busy festive calendar, Farke is unlikely to deviate away from a back four of Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, and Byram. With Gruev injured, Rothwell and Tanaka will anchor midfield, while James and Solomon provide the width.
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I’m going for a Leeds win here, I know it’s a ground we don’t normally do great at, but I’m gonna go 2-0 Leeds. They will battle for everything after what their coach/manager has said in the build up. We just need to score first.
Something along the lines of they must battle for every ball. Implying they’ve been losing out recently on all their individual personal battles. Reckon they’ll be revved up because of that, and because it’s us.
Might be controversial but (as well as a Leeds win, obv) I’d like Sheffield u and Blackburn to be win, would put some space between us and the chasing pack if Burnley and Sunderland lose. Dont really care about 1st, just want auto.
I'm still not to bothered about other results if we keep winning the table sorts itself out. We do need to start picking up them 3 points away from home though and yes we struggle here, yes they've had a good team talk and need points on the board. But, this is not a strong league and if you can't win from November can only mean one thing you are Shyte. Nothing is a given totally get that but if we want top 2 we have to be winning here and I think we will.
Morning all. Trust that you had a great day. Just nursing my hangover. Can’t see that either signing strengthens the team for a promotion push in the second half of the season. Both a bit of a punt really.
Understand the logic but I think Burnley are probably a better side than the blunts and the least likely of the two to drop off the pace a bit. Sunderland, sheff u and Sunderland all play each other the next week or 2 so someone will be dropping points. Don’t mind too much who it is. Most important thing during that period is we start winning away from home.
I think Sheff Utd have a deeper squad than Burnley. I know we said this last year with Leicester, Southampton and Ipswich but I don't expect Burnley, Sheff Utd or Sunderland to keep up their current pace.
maybe re squads… my point really is just that the blunts have squeezed every last point out of their games so far. It’s not that they’ve had outrageous fortune, just they win and draw games that they could easily have lost… and it’s never been the other way round. Ipswich and Leicester last season were generally (not always) getting results they deserved. let’s see if they turn this game around.
