Leeds United will seek to keep up the heat with second spot still on the line ahead of their trip to Rotherham United.
Leeds United are enjoying a brilliant start to 2024 and will be keen to keep up the heat at the top of the table when they welcome Rotherham United to Elland Road on Saturday night.
The game pits the club with the only unbeaten home record in the Championship against the side who have failed to see anything but defeat in their last 27 away league games. It is the second-joint worst record of such a case in English football history.
Given that Leeds United are a different beast at home, Rotherham United could not have asked for a worse assignment this weekend. The Whites and Southampton are battling it out for the coveted second spot, and it is difficult to see Daniel Fartke’s men drop the ball at Elland Road.
Given that the Saints have played a game less, Leeds United cannot afford to cede more ground. Ipswich Town are within touching distance in the fourth spot, and the onus is on the home side to get their marbles stacked right.
Rotherham United, on the other hand, are rock bottom and are fighting for their life to retain their second-tier status. As things stand, the visitors are fighting a losing battle, and it is difficult to see them ake anything away from the trip to Elland Road. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Leeds United
Daniel Farke is expected to bring his big hitters back for the game and should field a strong side on the night. Leeds United, however, will be without the injured trio of Daniel James, Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas.
A 4-2-3-1 formation has been Farke’s go-to setup this season, and he is expected to retain it for the night. Illan Meslier should start in goal behind the back four of Archie Gray, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, and Junior Firpo.
The duo of Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara should retain their double pivot, giving Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Sumemrville the freedom to provide the width. The former has scored in his last two games and is hitting a purple patch at the right moment.
Georginio Rutter should don the number ten’s role, with Patrick Bamford leading the line. The latter has a solid record against Rotherham and will hope to score against them for a third club in his career. His return to form has also been a blessing, and Farke will be keen to use Bamford’s experience to the fullest.
Having won the award for the manager of the money for January, Farke will want to hit the ground running once again. Momentum is key and anything less than a win is nothing but a dropped opportunity.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville; Bamford
Rotherham United
The Millers are winless in their last 27 away games in the league and have come out on top just thrice all season. Leam Richardson will have his work cut out facing Leeds United, but if there ever was a free hit for the Millers to get their season back on track it is now.
Ending Leeds’s proud home record this season could act as a rallying point for Rotherham. Despite the uphill task, the onus is on Leeds to secure the win rather than for Rotherham to avoid a loss. The longer the game strays scoreless, the more interesting the game should become.
A safety-first approach will be Richardson’s way forward on the night, with a 5-4-1 formation expected. Viktor Johansson should start in goal behind the back five of Lee Peltier, Hakeem Odoffin, Sean Morrison, Cameron Humphreys, and Sebastian Revan.
Samuel Clucas and Cafu should provide the width, with Oliver Rathbone and Christ Tiehi providing inspiration in the centre of the field. Veteran striker Jordan Hugill should lead the line on the night.
Probable Lineup (5-4-1): Johansson; Peltier, Odoffin, Morrison, Humphreys, Revan; Clucas, Rathbone, Tiehi, Cafu; Hugill
Key Stats
- A win on Saturday will see Leeds United take their winning streak at home against Rotherham United to three matches.
- Rotherham United have lost four of their last five games against Leeds United across all competitions.
- Leeds United are on a five-game winning streak in the EFL Championship, their best such run since the 2019/20 season under Marcelo Bielsa.
- Rotherham United are winless in their last 27 away games in the league, the second joint-longest such run ever in English Football League history.
Player to Watch
Patrick Bamford
The experienced striker has been in good goalscoring form this year. Bamford has had a goal contribution in four of his last five league starts and is one of the best in-form players in the EFL Championship.
The 30-year-old has a solid record against Rotherham United and has found the back of the net in his three recent clashes against them. While none of them came for Leeds, there is no reason why he cannot add to that tally this Saturday.
Prediction
Leeds United 2-0 Rotherham United
Rotherham United’s poor away record speaks for itself, and it is unlikely to change at Elland Road. Leeds remain the only unbeaten Championship side at home and will be fired up following their mid-season win against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup. Daniel Farke and Co. go into the game and favourites and rightfully so.