Match Day Thread Leeds Utd v Stoke City Match Thread

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Leeds United v Stoke City
Monday 21st April@15:00 | Bet365 Stadium

For Leeds United, the Easter Monday fixture isn't just another game; it's a potential gateway to the Premier League. After a season of relentless pursuit, the promised land is within touching distance, but to reach it on Monday, they must overcome a stubborn Stoke City side and hope for a favour from Burnley against Sheffield United.

The Elland Road faithful have been here before, tantalisingly close to promotion, and they know better than to take anything for granted. This time, however, the finish line feels tangibly closer. But Stoke won't be rolling out the red carpet. Their late-season surge has seen them pull away from the Championship trap-door, and are looking to finish their campaign in style.

Adding to the anticipation for Leeds fans is the welcome return of Dan James. The Welsh winger, a standout performer for the Whites this season, made a timely comeback on Good Friday, featuring for the final 15 minutes. His recent hamstring strain had sparked fears he might miss the crucial run-in, making his return a massive boost both on and off the pitch.

However, Pascal Struijk remains sidelined with his foot injury, meaning Leeds will continue with the solid Welsh centre-back partnership of Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon. In goal, Karl Darlow will continue to deputise for Illan Meslier, ensuring experience between the posts.

Stoke City continue to contend with several injury issues, as defenders Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Michael Rose and Enda Stevens are set to remain confined to the treatment room alongside midfielder Sol Sidibe.

Mark Robins may field an unchanged starting XI after back to back wins against Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday, with Junior Tchamadeu, Ben Wilmot, Ashley Phillips and Eric Bocat bound to continue in a back four after their clean sheet. January arrival Ali Al-Hamadi should again lead the line with support from Jun-ho Bae, Lewis Baker and Million Manhoef despite competition from Sam Gallagher, Lewis Koumas and Andrew Moran.

Easter Monday promises high drama,nail-biting tension and some sore heads on Tuesday. Leeds destiny is in their own hands, but they’ll be keenly watching events unfold at Turf Moor.

 

I like that Stoke badge, they've even got 3 of the letters correct in the first name

 

He’s an estate agent.

‘yes I know it was a picture of a 6 bed mansion with ocean views and next door to a pub, a flea bitten back to back in Armley is just as good, though.’

 

Well both chatGPT and Gemini/Ninja Ai go for a 2-0 victory, where as I am going for a 1-0 home victory

 

Find it baffling at this crunch time of the season fixture times are staggered. Tv has well and truly fooked up football hasn't it. Our game and Burnley's game should both be played at the same time. our fans could have the chance of celebrating tomorrow after the game of promotion in the stadium. yet they all will be sitting at home until we officially know. talk about taking all the joys out the game just for financial gain and tv points.

 

Yeah it’s absolute madness, people will be finding out on the coach/drive home.

 

It’s only ever the last day of the season that games are synchronized like that. The earlier kick off should suit us. A win will knock the stuffing out of the blunts

 

To be fair we beat Sheff utd 3-2 at Bramall Lane in 1992 and had to wait for Liverpool to beat Man Utd later that day. Didn't Bielsa win promotion off the pitch too?

We beat Bristol Rovers in league 1 to go up whilst in the stadium

 

I was just getting confused why we're at the Bet365 again? We were there around Christmas time.

 

Bit of a shambles but Matt’s not getting any younger

 

Can’t help thinking win tomorrow and it’s done, even if technically (Sheffield United win), it isn’t. Whoever is lucky enough to be going, sing your heart out for the lads

Norway / one paragraph Siddas moment coming up (think I’m starting to get excited)

Cmoonnnnnnnn Leeeeeeds, Monnnnnthewhites

 

It would be typical Leeds to fluff our lines tomorrow

 

Not much gets past you, does it?

 

I dare not bring myself to believe we’ll be promoted tomorrow. I bare it going wrong.

 

This is the big one, win tomorrow and we're up.

 

I think we will be ok

 

Most of the match times this season have favoured other teams as FA hates us along with sky who wants Leeds to stay in championship BUT I'm very pleased to say UP yours to the FA (Fook All) abbreviated and Sky glad Leeds utd Beat them both aswell as the crooked refs and linesmen we had to put up with this season thinking back to the middlesbrough game having 2 perfectly good goals disallowed for offside when it was clear they both onside , also putting a ref who's surname is bramall and who supports Sheff utd in charge of the Luton game.
im only thinking this promotion to premier league is the 1st part of the journey to winning the champions league that we have long been denied by cheating refs.

 

I would love absolutely love burnley to thrash Sheff utd and Leeds to beat stoke 5-0 but with farkes tactics I can only see us winning 1-0