Leeds United will hope to keep their hopes of a top two finish alive when they face Bristol City on Friday night.
Bristol City might have upset West Ham United in the FA Cup, but their league form remains poor, and they will face a formidable challenge when Leeds United come calling at Ashton Gate on Friday.
Daniel Farke’s men have arguably one of the best squads in the second tier and are eyeing a top two finish. A run of four consecutive wins has seen them close the gap to second spot to a mere two points, albiet having played a game more.
In fact, a win on the night will see Leeds United go second, at least until Ipswich Town and Southampton play their games in hand. But doing so should give Farke and Co. the motivation to end the season on a high. There is, after all, still a lot to be played for in the EFL Championship.
Bristol City, on the other hand, are now on a five-game league run without a win, leading to them dropping off in the race for a playoff spot. Their recent record against Leeds United will not inspire confidence either heading into Friday.
Leeds have a good record of Ashton Gate, winning their three most recent trips to the venue. In fact, Bristol City have beaten the Yorkshire side just once in their last 17 league meetings, all the way back in 2016. A monumental effort will be needed to turn that statistic around.
A win for the visitors will keep their hopes of promotion alive, while a triumph for the home side could help them turn around their season and perhaps make a late run at securing a playoff spot. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Bristol City
Bristol City are coming off a frustrating 2-2 draw against Coventry on the 30th of January and will hope that home support will help negate their fatigue on the night. Given that they are now five games without a win in the Championship, a performance is long due.
However, they will be without Scott Twine, Rob Atkinson, Kal Naismith and Mark Sykes, all of whom are out injured. Ross McCrorie is back available and will hope for another night out.
Liam Manning’s men have not tasted victory since Boxing Day and unless they can rediscover their mojo, the slide down the table is unlikely to stop anytime soon. He is expected to line his side up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. With less recovery time following the trip to Coventry, the Robins’ boss is expected to rotate his squad.
Max O’Leary should start in goal behind the trio of George Tanner, Zak Vyner, and Robert Dickie. Cameron Pring and Ross McCrorie should man the wing-back spots, falling back to form a flat back five if needed.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Joe Williams should man the central midfield, giving Anis Mehmeti and Jason Knight the freedom to showcase their creativity going forward. Nahki Wells scored against Coventry City but should start on the bench, with Tommy Conway getting the nod upfront.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): O’Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Dickie; McCrorie, Williams, Gardner-Hickman, Pring; Knight, Mehmeti; Conway
Leeds United
The draw in the FA Cup against Plymouth Argyle will hand Leeds an extra fixture this month, much to Daniel Farke’s frustrations. With the replay coming up, the Whites’ boss will be keen to rotate his squad for maximum effect.
Leeds United would enjoy a run in the cup but their priority remains the Championship and an immediate return to the Premier League. It will come as no surprise that the visitors will put out their best XI available on the night against Bristol City.
Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas are pout injured and the game will come far too early for any deadline day signings to make the cut. Farke has an otherwise fit squad to choose from and will bring back some of his heavy hitters who were rested at the weekend.
The 4-2-3-1 formation is once again the way forward, with Illan Meslier in goal. The French goalkeeper should be protected by the backline of Archie Gray, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Junior Firpo.
Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara should hold the fort as the midfield double pivot, while Crysencio Summerville and Daniel James provide the width out on the flanks. Georginio Rutter will don the number 10 role ahead of Joel Piroe while veteran striker Patrick Bamford will hope to continue his hot streak in front of goal in 2024.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara; James, Rutter, Summerville; Bamford
Key Stats
- Bristol City have won just one of their last 17 league lashes against Leeds United, all the way back in 2016.
- Leeds United are seeking a fourth straight win against Bristol City at Aston Gate.
- Bristol City have not lose a Championship game at home played on a Friday since 2021. They have since gone on a run of three wins and two draws.
- A win on the night will see Leeds United win five straight league games for the first time since 2020.
- Leeds United last started off a calendar year with four straight league wins in 1950.
Player to Watch
Patrick Bamford
The experienced striker is in excellent form and has started 2024 with a bang. Bamford has scored in four of his six games played this year while also finding the back of the net in his last two visits to Ashton Gate.
His return to form coincides with the drop off in that of Joel Piroe. This allows Daniel Farke to deploy the Englishman up top, with Georginio Rutter donning the number 10 role. The duo will once again be the visitors’ creative forces down the center of the pitch.
Prediction
Bristol City 1-2 Leeds United
While Bristol can be a handful on their day, fatigue could take its toll on the home side. Leeds were able to rest several of their stars at the weekend and should be up for the trip on Friday. This could very well work in their favour, giving Daniel Farke and Co. a precious three points, elevating them to second spot at full time.