Leeds United look to boost their promotion ambitions in a Championship clash against Preston at Elland Road.
Leeds will stay fourth regardless of the result but victory would see them restore their four-point gap to their immediate promotion rivals.
Preston can climb to ninth with a win.
Team News
Wilfried Gnonto is unlikely to feature for Leeds after he missed training this week with a hip injury, following the Whites’ 3-0 away win at Cardiff.
Liam Cooper (groin) and Junior Firpo (leg) are doubts but Karl Darlow (thumb), Pascal Struijk (adductor) and Stuart Dallas (thigh) remain absent.
Preston could welcome Brad Potts back into the matchday squad after he was substituted during their win over Bristol City with a toe infection.
Jack Whatmough and Ched Evans remain absent with separate knee injuries.
When is Kick-Off?
Leeds host Preston at Elland Road on Sunday 21 January at 12pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Leeds have avoided defeat in four of their last five meetings against Preston (W2, D2, L1).
- Preston are winless in their last five league visits to Leeds (D2, L3).
- Leeds have kept four clean sheets in their last five home matches in all competitions.
- Crysencio has scored in each of Leeds’ last four league matches at home (W3, D1).
- Preston have conceded two goals in each of their last two away matches (L2).
Prediction
Currently sat firmly in the play-off spots but slightly adrift of the scrap for the automatic promotion spot between Ipswich and Southampton, Leeds just need to keep winning as dominantly as they’ve done this month and hope that their rivals hit a rut which they can capitalise upon.
Preston meanwhile aren’t in the best of form despite still being in the play-offs race with ten points in their last 11 league games, but were crucially clinical in their win over Bristol City with resolute defending so they will need a similar display if want a result here.
I however do expect Leeds to cruise to victory here given their unbeaten home form and avoid another meltdown as saw on Boxing Day at Deepdale, but Preston should give them a decent scrap if can play like they did last weekend.
Prediction: Leeds 2-1 Preston
Result: Leeds 2-1 Preston
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