Leeds United will be eyeing all three points when they travel to Coventry Building Society Arena to face Coventry City on Saturday afternoon.
Leeds United will travel to the Coventry Building Society Arena to lock horns with Coventry City knowing full well that anything less than three points on the night could impact their ability to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Daniel Farke’s men are currently in the second spot, one point behind leaders Ipswich Town. Leicester City are a point worse off in third spot but the Foxes have a game in hand. Depending on how the results pan out, Leeds could be anywhere from first to third come the end of the gameweek.
Leeds have been excellent this year but have left it late in recent games. While their destiny is not inn their own hands, the West Yorkshire club will do well top focus on their task at hand and leave the rest to fate.
Meanwhile, Coventry will hope to sneak into the top six as they aim to secure a playoff spot. With Norwich City playing Ipswich Town earlier in the day, the Sky Blues will have hope that a positive result against Leeds will give them a proper shot at securing sixth spot in the EFL Championship standings.
Mark Robins has an FA Cup semi-final trip to Wembley later this month. But Coventry City will do well not to take their eye off the ball in the league. After all, while a miracle in the cup could yet happen, promotion to the Premier League even if it is via the playoffs could transform the club. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up for the game and their tactics.
Team News & Tactics
Coventry City
The Sky Blues took the lead against Cardiff City last time around but fell to their second home defeat in three games thanks to Liam Kitching’s two own goals. The unfortunate star will hope for better luck this time around.
Jamie Allen and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto are both sidelined through injury and should be unavailable for the game. Robins has an otherwise fully-fit squad to choose from for the game. He is likely to retain the same playing XI more or less.
The 4-2-3-1 formation appears to be the way forward, with Bradley Collins in goal. He should be protected by the back four of Joel Latibeaudiere, Bobby Thomas, Liam Kitching and Jake Bidwell.
Josh Eccles and Ben Sheaf should form the double pivot with the trio of Milan van Ewijk, Kasey Palmer and Haji Wright playing further forward. Ellis Simms scored last time around and will be expected to lead the line again.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Collins; Latibeaudiere, Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell; Eccles, Sheaf; Van Ewijk, Palmer, Wright; Simms
Leeds United
Daniel Farke will be without the injured quartet of Stuart Dallas, Pascal Struijk, Ilia Gruev and Wilfried Gnonto, all of who are likely to remain on the sidelines.
Leeds United were given a tough test by Hull City last time around. Only a late showing by Crysencio Summerville and Daniel James saw them come away with all three points, keeping them in the race for a top two finish.
They are unlikely to change the playing XI much and could stick with the side that came unstuck against Hull City. One constant will be the 4-2-3-1 formation that has become a trademark under Farke.
Illan Meslier should start in goal, protected by the back four of Sam Byram, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, and Junior Firpo. The quartet should be protected by the double pivot of Archie Gray and Glen Kamara.
Daniel James should replace Wilfried Gnonto on the right wing, with Crysencio Summerville occupying the other flank. Georginio Rutter should return to the no. 10 role, with Patrick Bamford leading the line. Joel Piroe is likely to start on the bench and should be thrown in if Leeds are in search of a goal.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Kamara, Gray; James, Rutter, Summerville; Bamford
Key Stats
- Coventry City have won just three of their last 19 league clashes against Leeds United. However, they are unbeaten in the last three meetings (W1 D2).
- This is Leeds United’s first visit to Coventry City in the league since 2012.
- Coventry City have lost two of their last three home games in the league.
- Avoiding defeat on Saturday will see Leeds United go on an unbeaten league run of 16 games, a first for the club since 1992.
- Leeds United are just the second side in the top four tiers of English football to have three players with 20 or more goal contributions in the league this season.
Player to Watch
Georginio Rutter
With 23 goal contributions in 39 league games, Rutter has been a sensational addition to the Leeds United roster this season. He will once again reprise the number 10 role as Daniel Farke attempts to continue his side’s good run of form.
Solid in possession and excellent in linking up with his fellow attackers, Georginio Rutter is a difficult player to keep quiet. As long as he is kept quiet, Coventry City have a solid shot at keeping the visitors quiet for the night.
Prediction
Coventry City 0-2 Leeds United
Coventry City are likely to provide Leeds with a stiff contest, especially if Ipswich Town get the better of Norwich City earlier in the day. Both sides still have much to play for and are likely to put in a concentrated effort to secure all three points. However, Leeds’s superior quality gives them the edge and should see them home on the night.