Leeds United will be keen to rediscover their winning touch vs Oxford United in the EFL Championship clash at Elland Road on Saturday.
Leeds United will aim to extend their unbeaten run to four matches and strengthen their position in the Championship promotion race when they host a struggling Oxford United side at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.
Under Daniel Farke, Leeds United have built momentum in the race for automatic promotion, currently sitting in second place in the Championship standings. After a dramatic 1-1 draw against Preston North End last weekend, courtesy of a last-minute own goal from Preston defender Jack Whatmough, the Whites are just three points behind league leaders Sheffield United.
Leeds boast the best home record in the division, having dropped just five points in 11 matches at Elland Road this season. They remain unbeaten at home since September, a run that underscores their strength on their home turf.
Key to Leeds’ promotion push has been the form of Joel Piroe, who leads the team with seven goals in 21 appearances. The contributions of Brenden Aaronson and Dan James, who have scored five and four goals respectively, have also bolstered Leeds’ attack.
With momentum on their side and a stellar home record, Leeds will be confident of securing maximum points against an Oxford team in turmoil.
Oxford United are enduring a torrid spell, having parted ways with head coach Des Buckingham following a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday last weekend. Despite a promising start to the campaign, the U’s have slipped to 20th in the Championship table, just one point above the relegation zone.
The Kassam Stadium outfit are now winless in their last six league matches, and their away form has been particularly dire. Alongside Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle, Oxford are one of three teams yet to win an away match this season, conceding 18 goals across nine away fixtures.
Oxford’s last trip to Elland Road in August 2012 ended in a routine defeat, and they will need a monumental effort to avoid a similar outcome this time. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Leeds United
Farke continues to deal with a few notable absentees ahead of their clash with Oxford United. Ilia Gruev remains sidelined due to a knee injury, paving the way for Ao Tanaka to retain his place in the midfield engine room.
Joe Gelhardt is also unavailable, having featured only twice this season in the league due to a persistent hip issue. Additionally, Leeds are short of options at full-back, as Junior Firpo is nursing a hamstring strain. Consequently, Sam Byram is expected to start in the left-back position once again this weekend.
Leeds United are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a structure that allows them to dominate midfield while providing width and attacking threat.
Illan Meslier will start in goal, providing stability and shot-stopping prowess. At right-back, Jayden Bogle will add energy and defensive cover, with Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk forming the central defensive pairing. On the left flank, Sam Byram will occupy the left-back role in Firpo’s absence.
The midfield double pivot will feature Ao Tanaka, who will focus on breaking up play and recycling possession, alongside Joe Rothwell, who will aim to provide progressive passes and link play. The attacking trio in midfield will see Dan James on the right wing, Brenden Aaronson in the central playmaker role, and Largie Ramazani operating from the left.
Spearheading the attack will be Joel Piroe, Leeds’ top scorer this season, whose sharp finishing and movement will be crucial against Oxford’s defence. Wilfried Gnanto is expected to start on the bench but could make a telling difference coming on.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Byram; Tanaka, Rothwell; James, Aaronson, Ramazani; Piroe
Oxford United
The visitors are grappling with a lack of depth on their left flank, as both Louie Sibley and summer signing Siriki Dembele are sidelined with ankle injuries. Adding to their woes, veteran defender Joe Bennett has been out since August with a broken ankle and is not expected to return until after the New Year.
These injuries leave Oxford particularly vulnerable on the left side, forcing manager Stephen Bradley to rely on limited options as they face a challenging trip to Elland Road.
Oxford United are expected to set up in a 4-4-2 formation, emphasizing defensive solidity and compactness while trying to hit Leeds on the counterattack.
Jamie Cumming will start in goal, providing a reliable last line of defence. The backline will consist of Peter Kioso at right-back, Elliott Moore and Jordan Brown as the centre-back pairing, and Gregory Leigh on the left.
In midfield, Gatlin O’Doherty Goodhram will occupy the right-wing role, with Cameron Brannagan and Idris El Mizouni forming the central midfield partnership to control the tempo and break up play. Owen Dale will take charge of the left wing, looking to support the defence and deliver crosses into the box.
Leading the attack, Joao Rodrigues and Dane Scarlett will form the front two, aiming to exploit Leeds’ defensive gaps and provide Oxford with a clinical edge in front of goal.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Cumming; Kioso, Moore, Brown, Leigh; Goodhram, Brannagan, El Mizouni, Dale; Rodrigues, Scarlett
Key Stats
- This is the first time Leeds United and Oxford United are meeting in the Football League since March 1990, a match during which Leeds claimed a 4-2 victory.
- Oxford United have failed to win any of their three prior away league games against Leeds United (D1 L2). Their last visit to Elland Road ended in a 2-1 defeat in September 1989.
- Leeds United have won each of their last eight home league games, scoring a combined total of 20 goals and conceding just two. So far in the 2024-25 season, no team across England’s top four tiers has won more home matches than Leeds (9).
- Oxford United have failed to win any of their nine away league games in the Championship this season (D2 L7). Their last away victory at this level came back in March 1999, a 2-1 win against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
- This season, Leeds United lead the Championship in goals scored (37), highest expected goals (36.5 xG), and total shots (344). In contrast, Oxford United are at the bottom of the league for shots attempted, with only 191.
Player to Watch
Wilfried Gnonto
Known for his electrifying pace, close control, and ability to glide past defenders, the Italian attacker is a constant threat to opposing backlines.
While Gnonto has primarily been used in a wide role, his versatility allows him to drift into central positions, creating goal-scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. His creativity and vision in the final third make him a pivotal figure in Leeds’ attacking setup, particularly against an Oxford side that has struggled defensively on the road this season.
Facing an Oxford defence that has conceded 18 goals in nine away matches, Gnonto’s agility and technical skill could exploit any gaps, making him the player to watch as Leeds look to extend their unbeaten run and maintain their promotion charge.
Prediction
Leeds United 3-0 Oxford United
With Leeds United boasting a strong home record and Oxford struggling on the road, this match heavily favours the hosts. Leeds’ attacking depth, led by Joel Piroe, should be more than enough to capitalize on Oxford’s defensive vulnerabilities. Leeds’ dominance at Elland Road, combined with Oxford’s poor form, suggests a comfortable win for Daniel Farke’s side as they continue their push for promotion.
