Leeds United will be keen to keep their winning run going as they aim to push up the table when they face Bristol City on Saturday
Leeds United got back to winning ways when they defeated Queens Park Rangers midweek and will be keen to put together a run when they welcome Bristol City on Saturday.
Despite winning just four of their opening ten Championship games, Leeds find themselves in the sixth spot. While they have space to make up to secure an automatic promotion position, they are well entrenched in the battle for a playoff spot.
Bristol City are in 11th position but only one point off Leeds. A win on Saturday, accompanied by positive results elsewhere, could see Nigel Pearson’s men soar up the table while Leeds could tumble down it.
The Championship is well known for being a difficult testing ground and every point could make or break your season. Leeds have perfected the art of playing Jekyll and Hyde as they continue to put up inconsistent results.
Leicester are currently running away with the title and Daniel Farke’s men should put on a consistent run of wins in order to keep up. Given the volatile nature of the playoffs, it is a dangerous path to take, especially given the quality on offer at Elland Road.
Bristol can take a huge step towards a playoff spot should they beat Leeds this weekend. However, they have not beaten the Peacocks at Elland Road this century and face an uphill task given the difference in quality between both teams.ย The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on Sunday and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Leeds United
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Junior Firpo and Djed Spence are still out injured for Leeds United. Wilfried Gnonto and Stuart Dallas are also unavailable for the game, giving Daniel Farke much encouragement to retain the side that beat QPR midweek.
Leeds have welcomed back several injured players in recent weeks, bolstering their options and adding more strength on the bench. Farke will certainly be in a good position to field a strong side on Saturday.
One constant will be Farke’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Leeds should once again line up in the familiar setup at Elland Road with Illan Meslier in goal. He will be protected by the back four of Luke Ayling, Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon and Sam Byram.
Skipper Liam Cooper will once again need to settle for a spot on the bench thanks to Strurijk’s heroics midweek.ย This if anything, gives Farke a welcome headache.
Archie Gray and the impressive Ethan Ampadu should patrol the midfield in the double pivot, giving the trip of Joel Piroe, Daniel James and Crysencio Summerville the freedom to push forward. Georginio Rutter should get the nod upfront ahead of veteran Patrick Bamford, who is expected to start on the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ayling, Struijk, Rodon, Byram; Gray, Ampadu; Summerville, Piroe, James; Rutter
Bristol City
Bristol are also a side that has been inconsistent this season. While they could struggle to make the playoffs, the way several teams are packed together, a good run of results can make their season.
Nigel Pearson has a good record against Leeds and has lost to them just twice in his managerial career. Elland Road remains a sort of last frontier for Bristol, given that they have not won there since 1979. Breaking that hoodoo on Saturday could act as a morale booster for the whole squad.
The visitors will be without Rob Atkinson, Ayman Benarous, Ross McCrorie, Zak Vyner, all of whom are out injured.ย George Tanner is also a doubt for the clash and might have to settle for a spot on the bench at best.
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โ Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) October 6, 2023
Pearson is likely to form his side in the 4-3-3 formation, with Max O’Leary in goal. He will be the last line of defence behind the back four of Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Robert Dickie, Kal Naismith and Cameron Pring.
Joe Williams, Matty James and Jason Knight should form the midfield three. How well the trio do to gain control of the middle of the pitch could help set the tone for the clash. Mark Sykes and Sam Bell should start out wide, with Tommy Conway leading the line following his heroics off the bench against Rotherham United.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): O’Leary; Gardner-Hickman, Naismith, Dickie, Pring; Knight, Williams, James; Bell, Conway, Sykes
Key Stats
- Leeds United have won their last four league games against Bristol City, and 13 of their last 16 encounters in the league.
- Bristol City have not beaten Leeds United at Elland Road since 1979.
- The last time Leeds United defeated a side managed by Nigel Pearson in the league was in 2012.
- Bristol City have lost their last 11 games away to teams recently relegated from the Premier League.
- A shutout on Saturday will see Leeds United keep three consecutive clean sheets in a row for the first time since 2020.
Player to Watch
Joel Piroe
The summer signing has six goals in 11 appearances for Leeds and has the ability to pull strings in the number ten role. His ability to pass and move into channels makes him a difficult player to pick up while also opening up space and avenues for players around to run into.ย The Leeds ace is also not scared to put in the hard work and is as active off the ball as he is on it. If he is allowed to seize control of the game, Bristol can be in for a long day indeed.
Prediction
Leeds United 2-1 Bristol City
The game is likely to be closely contested with both sides getting forward where possible. While Bristol City are unlikely to go down without a fight, Leeds United have an upper hand when it comes to strength in depth. This difference in quality could very well tip the tie in the home side’s favour, handing them a narrow win on Saturday.
