Leeds United will look to strengthen their case for an immediate return to the Premier League by claiming all three points against Millwall at Elland Road.
Leeds United have recovered well from the drop as they sit second on the Championship table and are all set to host Millwall on Matchday 38. Three points are crucial for both teams, as it will keep the home team within reach of league leaders Leicester City, while it will help Millwall strengthen their position outside the relegation zone.
The home team are second in the Championship with 79 points out of their 37 matches. They have won 24 of those outings while suffering only six defeats in the ongoing season. Leeds are three points behind the Foxes, who are top of the table and only have a points buffer over third-placed Ipswich Town. As a result, winning here is a must for them.
Leeds have won four out of their last five league games and are heading into this one on the back of a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. They were the dominant team and got the result they were looking for. The home team will now hope for something similar against Millwall.
The visitors are currently 16th on the points table with 43 points in their 37 outings. They have suffered defeat in 16 matches and have only won 11 times so far. They have a five-point buffer over 22nd-placed Huddersfield and need to ensure they keep adding points to their tally to stay well outside of the drop zone.
Millwall have been doing wonders in the recent past. They have been unbeaten in their last four games, having won three of those and are heading into this on the back of a 1-0 win over Birmingham. It was not their best effort, but they did get the job done. They will need to do much better if they want to take down Leeds. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Leeds United
Daniel Farke’s team have had a nine-day rest since their last outing, as a result of which he is expected to field the exact XI that started in their last outing.
Jaidon Anthony will make a return to the squad, but he is expected to be on the bench alongside Daniel James and Joel Piroe. Jamie Shackleton should also make it to the squad after having observed concussion protocols.
Leeds will go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Illan Meslier will be in goal. Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon will feature in the heart of the defence for the home team. They will look for a clean sheet and will have the support of full-backs Junior Firpo and Archie Gray in achieving their objective.
In the centre of the park, Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara will form the double pivot. Not only will they shield the backline, but the duo will also look to control the tempo of the game. Crysensio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto will feature on the flanks.
The duo will provide width to their attacks and will look to link with Georginio Rutter who will feature as the attacking midfielder. They will be trying to provide Patrick Bamford with the best possible opportunities to get on the score sheet.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Gray, Ampadu, Rodon, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville; Bamford
Millwall
Neil Harris’s men have also had a long break, and there are high chances that even Millwall will go ahead with the same XI that started in their last outing. They are still without the services of Shaun Hutchinson, Kevin Nisbet, and Tom Bradshaw.
Harris will stick to the 4-4-2 formation, where Matija Sarkic will be in goal. Ryan Leonard and Joe Bryan will be the two full-backs. The duo will support Japhet Tanganga and Jake Cooper, who will feature in the heart of the defence and aim for a clean sheet on the night.
George Honeyman and Duncan Watmore will feature out wide in the centre of the park. The duo will not only support the full-backs, but they will also provide width to their attacks. Billy Mitchell and George Saville will feature in a more central role in the midfield. They will look to control the tempo of the game and not allow Leeds to dominate the proceedings. In attack, Zian Flemming will pair up with Michael Obafemi.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Sarkic; Leonard, Tanganga, Cooper, Bryan; Honeyman, Saville, Mitchell, Watmore; Flemming, Obafemi
Key Stats
- Leeds United have the best defence in the second division, having conceded just 28 goals so far.
- Leeds United have been unbeaten in their last 12 matches, they haven’t lost in the Championship since the turn of the calendar.
- Millwall have been unbeaten in their last four games, winning three of those fixture.
- Leeds have won each of their last seven league games at Elland Road.
- Neil Harris has helped Millwall turn things around and go five points clear of the relegation zone.
Player to Watch
Wilfried Gnonto
Gnonto has done a decent job for Leeds United so far, and the club will expect the 20-year-old Italian sensation to step up and help them continue their dominance as they look for an immediate return to the English top flight.
The Italian youth international has featured in 29 league matches this term and has racked up over 1,200 minutes. He has found the back of the net on six occasions and has two assists to his name. Gnonto will be determined to add to his tally when he takes the field against Millwall.
Prediction
Leeds United 3-1 Millwall
Millwall have turned things around in some fashion since Neil Harris took charge. They have not lost in their last four league outings and have won three of those fixtures. They are heading into this one confident of getting the right result.
However, they will square up against a team that has not lost in their last 12 league outings. They have won 11 of those fixtures and have been a dominant force in the league. Millwall might not stand a chance against Leeds, irrespective of their recent form. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the home team.