Leeds United will be keen to continue their rise up the Championship standings when they take on Stoke City on Wednesday.
A resurgent Leeds United side continue to rise up the table and will be buzzing ahead of their trip to the bet365 Stadium to take on Stoke City on Wednesday night.
Daniel Farke’s men came from two goals behind to defeat Norwich City last time around. The Whites’ defence continues to baffle, but the attack is strong enough to bail them out. This tactic of outgunning their opponents could, however, prove unsustainable over the course of a campaign.
However, the results speak for themselves right now, and Leeds are in the third spot. The same cannot be said of Stoke City, who stunned playoff hopefuls Sunderland last time around. This puts some distance between the Potters and the relegation zone.
Leeds go into the game as favourites but will need to be tight at the back. Playing a buoyant Stoke City at home is not an easy task, and the visitors will need to be on their toes. With the likes of Preston North End faltering, Leeds have the opportunity to climb up the table and perhaps seize the second spot for themselves.
The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on Sunday and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Stoke City
Bring the noise and back the boys ✊
Secure your tickets for tomorrow’s clash with Leeds.
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) October 24, 2023
The Potters look set for another relegation dogfight and any points they can secure from promotion hopefuls is a bonus. Given the competitive nature of the league, Stoke City can do with every point on offer, especially at home.
The task is made harder for Alex Neil given the unavailability of players such as Ben Wilmot, Lewis Baker and Tyrese Campbell. However, it is not all bad news as Stoke have welcomed back Enda Stevens, Ki-Jana Hoever, Ryan Mmaee, Andre Vidigal and Lynden Gooch to contention in recent weeks.
The 4-2-3-1 formation can double up as a 4-5-1 when needed and will give the home side numbers in midfield to stunt the Leeds frontline. Mark Travers should start in goal behind the back four of Ki-Jana Hoever, Luke McNally, Michael Rose, and Enda Stevens.
Ben Pearson and Josh Laurent should hold the fort as the double pivot in midfield. This will give the trio of Sead Haksabanovic, Daniel Johnson and Andre Vidigal the freedom to push forward. Ryan Mmaee opened the scoring against Sunderland at the weekend and should retain his spot at the head of the Stoke City attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Travers; Hoever, McNally, Rose, Stevens; Pearson, Laurent; Haksabanovic, Johnson, Vidigal; Mmaee
Leeds United
The visitors arrive at the bet365 Stadium on the back of three consecutive wins. Daniel Farke will be glad that his frontline is firing. But the lack of defensive solidity continues to be a concern. Meanwhile, Leeds have welcomed back several key players from injury over the international break.
As things stand, the Whites will only be without Stuart Dallas, Djed Spence and Junior Firpo for the game. Farke will stick to his 4-2-3-1 formation and should make changes to the side that won at Norwich at the weekend. With games coming thick and fast, strength in depth is key against Stoke.
Illan Meslier should start in goal behind the settled back four of Luke Ayling, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Sam Byram.
🎙 Watch Daniel Farke’s pre-match press conference ahead of Stoke https://t.co/0Q6VXXv8IM
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 24, 2023
Archie Gray should retain his spot in the double pivot alongside Ethan Ampadu, providing protection to the Leeds rearguard. Daniel James and Crysencio Summerville are expected to make way for Jaidon Anthony and Wilfried Gnonto. Joel Piroe should continue in the number ten’s role, with Georginio Rutter being replaced by Patrick Bamford out at front.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ayling, Rodon, Struijk, Byram; Gray, Ampadu; Gnonto, Piroe, Anthony; Bamford
Key Stats
- This is the first time that Stoke City are facing off against Leeds United since the 2019/20 season. Leeds United have a decent record away to Stoke City of late, winning four of their last seven games at the bet365 Stadium.
- Liam Cooper has scored in two of his last three games against Stoke City. However, both of them have come at Elland Road.
- Daniel Farke did the double over Stoke City last time around when he was in charge of Norwich City.
- Leeds United have scored two or more goals in three consecutive games against Stoke City.
- Leeds have won their last three league games by the margin of a single goal. A win on the night will see Leeds United win four league games on the trot for the first time since the 2020/21 season.
Player to Watch
Joel Piroe
The summer signing has seven goals in 13 appearances for Leeds United and has excelled in the number ten role. His ability to link up with his teammates and move into channels makes him a difficult player to pick up. The mobile nature of his play also helps in opening up space for others around him to run into.
The Leeds United star is also excellent when given the opportunity to score and rarely passersby such chances. Piroe is likely to be the visitors’ creator and chief and stopping him will go some way to denting Leeds’s bite in attack.
Prediction
Stoke City 1-2 Leeds United
While Leeds are the favourites, their defence lacks the conviction needed to keep opposition attackers quiet. The game is likely to be closer than expected but the visitors should see their strength in depth come out on top. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Daniel Farke and his charges.
