MX23RW : Monday, March 2 17:35:47| >> :600:943845:943845:
Feb 22, 2020 at 3pm UK at ​Elland Road
Attendance: 35,483
LeedsLeeds United
1-0
Reading
Hernandez (57')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Leeds United vs. Reading - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Leeds United and Reading, including team news and predicted lineups.

Leeds United will be looking to make it back-to-back Championship victories when they welcome Reading to Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.

The Whites, who remain second in the table, picked up three much-needed points against Bristol City last weekend, while Reading impressively won 3-0 at Sheffield Wednesday in their last match.


Match preview

Leeds United's Luke Ayling celebrates scoring their first goal on February 15, 2020© Reuters

There was huge pressure on Leeds to beat Bristol City last weekend, and a first-half goal from Luke Ayling proved enough for Marcelo Bielsa's side to record just their second league victory of 2020.

The Whites entered last weekend's match off the back of a 1-1 draw at Brentford, and the two positive results have left them second in the table, three points clear of third-placed Fulham.

Bielsa's side are also only four points off leaders West Bromwich Albion, showing that first position is still very much open for the team if they can put together a consistent run of results.

Both Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan Athletic have won at Elland Road since the turn of the year, though, while Millwall scored twice in a 3-2 loss at the end of last month.

The fact that Reading will enter this match off the back of such a strong performance last weekend puts even more pressure on Leeds, who will be desperate to right the wrongs from the 2018-19 campaign.

Reading manager Mark Bowen on February 15, 2020© Reuters

Reading actually finished third in the Championship at the end of the 2016-17 campaign but have posted 20th in their last two seasons at this level. It has been another inconsistent term for the Royals, although they are 11 points clear of the relegation zone.

The table suggests that the club will not have any relegation fears in the final months of the season, and they are actually only six points off 11th-placed Swansea City on the same number of matches.

Mark Bowen's side will be the underdogs heading into this weekend's contest but as mentioned, recorded a 3-0 victory away to Sheffield Wednesday last weekend. They also only narrowly lost against West Brom on February 12, showing that they can compete against the better sides in the division.

Reading have lost each of their last three Championship matches with Leeds, though, and suffered a 1-0 defeat in the reverse match at the Madejski Stadium back in November.

Leeds Championship form: LWLLDW

Reading Championship form: DLDDLW
Reading form (all competitions): LDWDLW


Team News

Adam Forshaw in action for Leeds United on March 30, 2019© Reuters

Leeds will be without Adam Forshaw for the remainder of the season following hip surgery, but Bielsa otherwise has a fully-fit squad to choose from with Tyler Roberts making the bench last weekend.

Kiko Casilla will again keep his spot between the sticks, and it seems likely that the same XI that started the win over Bristol City will take to the field.

Jean-Kevin Augustin featured for the third time off the bench last time out, but the loan arrival is unlikely to displace Patrick Bamford at the tip of the home side's attack.

Pablo Hernandez is also expected to keep his spot despite recent criticism of the Spaniard's form.

As for Reading, Jordan Obita is facing a late fitness test on an ankle injury, while Pele, Matt Miazga, Tom McIntyre, Lucas Joao, Chris Gunter and Lucas Boye are all unavailable.

Bowen could opt for the same XI that started the three-goal success over the Owls, where centre-forward George Puscas grabbed his eighth Championship goal of the campaign.

Leeds possible starting lineup:
Casilla; Ayling, White, Cooper, Dallas; Costa, Hernandez, Phillips, Klich, Harrison; Bamford

Reading possible starting lineup:
Rafael; Yiadom, Morrison, Moore, Richards; Swift, Rinomhota; Meite, Olise, Ejaria; Puscas


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We say: Leeds 2-0 Reading

Reading have a number of injury problems heading into the match, but Leeds are in fairly good shape at the moment. The Whites have been much better in their last two fixtures after a tough period, and we expect them to pick up another three important points on Saturday afternoon.


body check tags ::

Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Leeds and Reading?

Leeds
Draw
Reading
Leeds
83.8%
Draw
5.4%
Reading
10.8%
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Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa pops a squat on February 15, 2020
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rhs 2.0
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2Manchester CityMan City27183668293957
3Leicester CityLeicester28155854282650
4Chelsea2813694739845
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd28119842301242
6Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28101264134742
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs28117104639740
8Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd27101072925440
9Burnley28115123339-638
10Arsenal2781363936337
11Everton28107113742-537
12Crystal Palace2899102532-736
13Southampton28104143551-1634
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2888122441-1732
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28610123240-828
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2876153549-1427
17Watford2869132743-1627
18Bournemouth2876152845-1727
19Aston Villa2774163452-1825
20Norwich CityNorwich2856172551-2621

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