please log in to view this image Leeds United vs Birmingham City please log in to view this image Sunday October 20th, 2013 - K.O 13:15 - Elland Road please log in to view this image Finally the international break is over, and we can get back to some Leeds football! The Sunday game sees Birmingham City visit Elland Road, with both teams in questionable form of late. Leeds haven't beaten the blues at Elland Road in the last 3 attempts, stretching back to the 2006/2007 season. History is against the Whites, with Birmingham having won 35 of the previous league fixtures, to Leeds' 28. Way back before the break, both teams suffered defeats with Birmingham going down to struggling Bolton, a game which saw Leeds old boy Jermaine Beckford get his first goal in a Bolton shirt. On their day the blues' front line has been prolific so far this term, which could be an interesting proposition for a Leeds defence who have struggled to keep out the goals in recent games. Loanee from Manchester United, Jesse Lingard, has had a particularly positive impact since coming in and bagging four on his debut. Brian McDermott has had a couple of weeks without the pressure of the fans on the team, and he will have been working hard to restore some confidence. Leeds fans were hoping for some movement on one of the promised loan signings before this fixture, but nothing has emerged. Young midfielder Alex Mowatt has signed a new contract this week after some impressive performances in the league, which is at least some good news. 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]Birmingham[/TD] [TD]L - W - L - W - L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]9[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/TD] [TD="align: center"]6[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds[/TD] [TD]L - L - L - W - L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]4[/TD] [TD="align: center"]9[/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]Birmingham[/TD] [TD="align: center"]86[/TD] [TD="align: center"]35[/TD] [TD="align: center"]23[/TD] [TD="align: center"]28[/TD] [TD="align: center"]112[/TD] [TD="align: center"]99[/TD] [TD="align: center"]13[/TD] [TD="align: center"]128[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds[/TD] [TD="align: center"]86[/TD] [TD="align: center"]28[/TD] [TD="align: center"]23[/TD] [TD="align: center"]35[/TD] [TD="align: center"]99[/TD] [TD="align: center"]112[/TD] [TD="align: center"]-13[/TD] [TD="align: center"]107[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Early Betting Odds (Correct on 4/10/13) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Leeds Win[/TD] [TD]Draw[/TD] [TD]Birmingham Win[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]13/10[/TD] [TD]12/5[/TD] [TD]12/5[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Leeds United Top Scorers (League) Ross McCormack...4 Luke Varney...2 Dominic Poleon...1 Birmingham City Top Scorers (League) Jesse Lindgard...5 Chris Burke...2 David Murphy...2 Durham's Prediction If Birmingham are on a goal scoring day, the kind that has seen them put 4 past Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday and 3 past Premier League opponents Swansea in the cup, we might not be in for the most fun Sunday afternoon. If we'd got a result against Derby then I'd be much more optimistic, but going into the international break off the back of a disappointing defeat is rough. I didn't have a chance to do the usual team news section this week, I'm moving house at the minute so don't have an awful lot of time, but as I understand it neither team has any major concerns on that front. Certainly for Leeds Byram should be back to full fitness to start this game, after Peltier has had a few disappointing performances in his absence. I'm going to go for a 1-1 draw, though I can honestly see Birmingham nicking this one. please log in to view this image I've suggested this lineup for the last 3 games, and I'm still sticking with it. Austin has been playing the more advanced role, which he can do, but to be honest I think he's more valuable back in the holding role. He can make poor decisions in that advanced role, and there've been far too many wasteful long shots. I don't know whether Poleon is ready to start yet, but he's looked lively when he has played. The only way he is going to get experience is to give him a chance, and let's be honest, the other strikers aren't up to much. This one's live on sky, so there should be links aplenty for a TV stream, watch this space OK, over to the not606 faithful. Let's hear score predictions and what team you think will go out.
I like the look at your contraversial line-up a lot. What do we have to fear from this bankrupt club? well there's the young scum player who seems to be scoring for fun, unlike us who can't score at all. Theres also the Burke factor as he will want to show us and the manager what we missed out on by not buying him. Scary I know, but if Burke is firing on all cylinders and the scum kid is on the end we could get a wholloping. Never mind the tall Zigic who also loves scoring against us We're at home so should be confident, but besides the Bournmouth win I'm scared unless the boys have upped their game. Even though they had a couple of weeks off because of the Internationals you would hope that the manager has worked with the team ...... NO he hasn't because those who were away with their country's were missing and he gave time off to the senior players, which means that most of the squad as had a holiday and not extra coaching ffs. Hunt and a couple more were the only senior players AROUND AND THATS BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO UP THEIR EFFECTIVENESS. I'm going to be pissed if we get beat on Sunday, because BMD should have made sure they were all around for training and sorting themselves out, if they were not away with International squads.
Fair play didn't know about that. well let's hope theres some confidence and hard work that has come from somewhere then...
I have a horrible thought that we will get beat by a goal or two at this game, the rot has commenced and unless we get loads of dosh very soon, we will remain just above relegation.
Evening BFBB, I have that same feeling. Hope I'm wrong. I also think Burke might have a good game, although we are Leeds United and we may win it, fingers crossed...
Evening Shako, I have full respect for those Leeds fans who continue to buy season tickets or attend home games, it takes a lot of courage and loyalty. I hope to be proved totally wrong, but things just don't look good just now, in fact they haven't looked good for many years.
Agree,I would like to see diouf start,he has experience,and can dictate the play, Not the fastest or the fittest,but still has class. Surely it's better to start him and let him niggle defenders,then bring on poleon second half with his pace.
No joke. The ex-coach of Senegal, who reportedly discovered and nurtured EHD just died. BeeMacDee has given him permission o leave for Senegal right after training on Saturday.
Rightly so. Im sure Dioufy wouldnt have been too impressed siting on the bench thinking of his friend being buried. Personally I think he's one of the few players we have with class on the field.
Although Burke would've been a great signing for us at £600,000 (big mistake by McDermott) he's not exactly Messi or Ronaldo, he's an average winger at best, and he'll be up against an experienced, albeit ageing ex international fullback, cut off his supply to Zigic and Brum really don't have anything else. I'm sure Stephen Warnock will have him in his pocket, 2-0 Leeds
Difference Messi or Ronaldo dont know who we are or care whereas Burke might have considered us. Interesting to see him in action tomorrow
If Burke really wanted to play for Leeds United he'd have forced through the transfer, so **** him. Get Austin to take him out of the game with his first challenge, he won't do much from the treatment room
How many modern day footballers REALLY want to play for any club. Id say little more than a paycheck to 95% of them so thats not a problem for me. Remember we're Leeds fans all our lives but a lot of younger footballers cant remember Leeds teams being anything other than useless
So no game today lads so assuming you'll all be cheering on the mighty lions then COYL AS I GUESS youd want us to beat your promotion rivals
