Leeds Leeds United will host Hull at Elland Road trailing behind the visitors by 3 points. Leeds have had their ever so consistent stop-start form by showing signs of a promising Season and then putting in a dire performance. Their most recent being a 2 - 1 defeat to the new "Dragons" of Cardiff. Their hitman upfront Luciano Becchio has hit the ground running this Season, with 4 goals already to his name. They're of course managed by the promotion experienced Neil Warnock who knows how to get a team out of the Championship. Their new signings have made some sort of impact to help fill the void left by the departure of Robert Snodgrass. The Leeds defence seems to be their weakness yet again this Season, with Leeds getting into a habit of conceding goals on a regular basis. There isn't normally "0's" when Leeds are involved. Becchio and Ross McCormack are a lively threat up top meaning the Tigers defence will need to remain focused throughout the match and see to it that they are both dealt with. Their main midfielders will be out with injury and to the Tigers fans delight, one of them names is David Norris. Leeds are a highly unpredictable side and if the "dangerous" Leeds turn up, it can be a very difficult game, but if the Leeds defence are in a leaking mood, the Tigers fans could return to Hull with big smiles on their faces. Hull City Steve Bruce's new look side have come as a massive warning package to the whole division, going from last Season's lowest scorers, to one of the League's highest scorers. After the 1 goal in 3 games, it was looking as though the Tigers had improved in a performance and entertainment sense, but the fans were maybe feeling it was going to be another Season of the "Same old" cliche. In the last 2 fixtures however, the side have proved what they can really do, and scoring 7 (and could have and should have been 8/9) against opposition such as Bolton and Millwall, have showed the aims of the entire squad. The performances to really take note of, will be the 2 new lads in midfield, Ahmed Elmohammedy and Stephen Quinn have allowed City to dominate midfield and really get at defences. Simpson and Olofinjana have been revelations after being left in the Wilderness for the past couple of Seasons, but they have fit straight into the squad; creating a chemistry between the sides that the City fans are relishing in. The side as a whole have remained solid at the back, but have injected some severe positive mentality into themselves and for the first time in a long, long time, City look capable of scoring many goals on a regular basis. If Hull keep the recent momentum with them at Elland Road, Leeds won't know what's hit them. Analysis Depending on which Leeds team actually 'turns up', this promises to be an exciting game for both sides. City have just had their best start to a League campaign in 6 years, and Leeds look to be exceeding expectations after the departures of some key players. With the Leeds fans planning another Anti-Ken Bates protest, an air of negativity will be surrounding the Leeds side, and add that extra expectation and burden onto the Leeds players, the new goal crazy Hull City will look to take advantage. Leeds always have the chance of scoring or conceding a late winner too meaning if it's close enough, it will be a tense finish. Prediction Purely based on recent form, I'd go with a win for the Tigers. The team look as though they're confident, happy and there's always more threat to come on off the bench. Hull look as though they could contend for automatic promotion should they keep it up. Leeds are incredibly inconsistent and should they turn up without even the slightest hint of positivity in their game, they will be taught a footballing lesson by Steve Bruce's boys. Key Players Leeds United: Luciano Becchio, Ross McCormack, El Hadj Diouf Hull City: Sone Aluko, Jay Simpson, Stephen Quinn, Ahmed Elmohammedy, James Chester EDIT: Ross McCormack is doubtful due to a suspected injury. Leeds will definitely miss him.
Not a hint of bias in that analysis... Ok we've played really well for 1 and a half games but to call us potential top 2 contenders is a bit premature. As is calling us goal crazy. But having said that, Tuesday appears to be a great opportunity to break the elland road hoodoo (just like last season)
Cheers ST, just one minor correction needed. You forgot the words "easy and comprehensive" before "win for the Tigers". We're gonna win this one 0-4. My prediction for today was spot on til we let them have a consolation goal Isn't Mccormack injured? Yes, yes he is, and TWS fans are talking about this being a major problem with their paper thin squad. The timing couldn't be better for us, we're on fire, they're not even smouldering, all the signs are we should romp all over them. We'll probably lose 1-0.
I'm not trying to imply that we will be top 2 at the end of the Season, as I along with most City fans are used to a very inconsistent Hull side, but after two very promising performances, our current form makes us look like we're automatic contenders is what I was trying to say. Sorry if it came across as rather biased.
Another excellent piece there ST. I think it'll be a close game, derby games often are but on our recent form I fancy us to get a long awaited win at Elland Road. McCormack will be a miss for Leeds and the likes of Becchio and Diouf will need watching but as long as we keep playing like we have we should be good enough for the win.
I disagree that the pro-takeover demo will add any negativity. First, it's only two sections of the South Stand. Second, we'll sing way more normal Leeds songs than protest songs. Third, the players and manager have admitted they basically want the takeover to happen, so they'll hardly be offended by our demands. If anything, a more vocal home support may give us an edge, considering Hull's away support is rarely up to much.
Our defense is a lot stronger than you realise today we where beaten by a wonder goal and totally wrong penalty decision, apart from that we absorbed everything Cardiff had. Our problem was our strikers inabilty to hold the ball up, becchio n Varney where dog ****. Players to look out for Rudolph Austin and the young sam Byram
It's gonna be a good game that's for sure. Anyone who doesn't think we have quality in our team now to hurt you is sorely mistaken. We've added to the good players we had last season, lost no one and replaced the weaker ones with really top players. I honestly wouldn't swap Amos, Chester, Faye, Elmohamady, Dudgeon, Quinn, Koren or Aluko for anyone else in the division right now. That only leaves Bruce, Olifinjana and Simpson who will also play against you and they are in good form too. If we have a weakness it is perhaps that we don't have steel in midfield: Olifinjana is meant to be the protector but while he is very strong on the ball he isn't a ballwinner off it at all and people just breeze past him a lot of the time. Fortunately the defenders are class so it doesn't matter too much most of the time.
It's gonna be a good game that's for sure. Anyone who doesn't think we have quality in our team now to hurt you is sorely mistaken. We've added to the good players we had last season, lost no one and replaced the weaker ones with really top players. I honestly wouldn't swap Amos, Chester, Faye, Elmohamady, Dudgeon, Quinn, Koren or Aluko for anyone else in the division right now. That only leaves Bruce, Olifinjana and Simpson who will also play against you and they are in good form too. If we have a weakness it is perhaps that we don't have steel in midfield: Olifinjana is meant to be the protector but while he is very strong on the ball he isn't a ballwinner off it at all and people just breeze past him a lot of the time. Fortunately the defenders are class so it doesn't matter too much most of the time.
