After a controversial week surrounding SpyGate, Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United head to Stoke City for Saturday’s big Sky Bet Championship clash.
Stoke enter this match still searching for their first win under Nathan Jones whilst Leeds look to continue their promotion bid.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesStoke City have no fresh injury concerns to report after their FA Cup exit in midweek, as several players seek a recall.
New Leeds signing, Kiko Casilla won’t make his debut here after signing from Real Madrid in midweek.
Gaetano Berardi (hamstring), Stuart Dallas (foot) and Barry Douglas (muscle strain) are ruled out through injury but are set to feature for the U23s in coming weeks. Patrick Bamford meanwhile remains sidelined for a few more weeks with a knee injury.
Izzy Brown is nearly ready for his first senior appearance for Leeds, after overcoming a serious knee injury, although no definite timeline has been given for when he could feature on the team sheet. .
Midfielder, Kalvin Phillips is serving the last of a three match suspension after being sent off during Leeds’ defeat to Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day
Form
Stoke come into this game with a draw and four defeats from their last five matches across all competitions.
The Potters however are unbeaten in five of their last seven home games but have lost their last two against Bristol City then a FA Cup replay in midweek against Shrewsbury Town.
Leeds have lost three of their last four outings, having been on a seven match unbeaten run beforehand.
Away from home, Bielsa’s men have won three of their last five on the road but all of their goals in those five matches have come in second half.
Stat Attack
- Stoke have avoided defeat in three of last five meetings (W2, D1, L2).
- Leeds have won five of last six meetings at Stoke in all competitions, including a Zenith Data Systems’ Cup clash on penalties after 2-2 draw in December 1999.
- Last two meetings have finished 3-1 to the home side.
- Leeds have all scored in all but three matches across all competitions this season, with the three blanks all coming at Elland Road.
Prediction
With less than 20 games left, Stoke need to start finding consistency if want to challenge for a play-off spot.
Leeds however are a strong solid side and I cannot see anything other than a Leeds win here, if they continue to improve after a festive slump.
Prediction: Stoke City 1-2 Leeds United