League leaders Leeds United host relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic at Elland Road on Saturday as they look to keep their place at the top of the Championship table.
Both sides won last time out to end runs of three straight losses in all competitions and will be looking to gain some momentum in this fixture.
Match preview
© Reuters
Leeds came back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to beat Millwall 3-2 and arrest a recent decline in form, while also exacting revenge for their controversial 2-1 loss in the reverse fixture.
The victory ends a run of three successive defeats in all competitions and three league outings without a win that has seen their once-considerable gap to the playoff-chasing pack close dramatically.
However, they still sit atop the pile, two points ahead of nearest rivals West Bromwich Albion and four points clear of third-placed Nottingham Forest.
Leeds still boast the third-best attack and the second-best defensive records in the division and may feel confident of making it two wins on the trot against a Wigan side that find themselves in the relegation zone.
Marcelo Bielsa's side triumphed 2-0 over a 10-man Wigan outfit earlier in the campaign and a repeat of that result would be ideal to keep their title ambitions on track.
Paul Cook's men, however, dented Sheffield Wednesday's playoff hopes in a shock 2-1 victory in their last outing and should not be underestimated.
Charlton Athletic's continued decline and descent towards the relegation zone give Wigan a very real possibility of escaping from the bottom three and they will be keen to put together a strong run of form in order to capitalise on that.
Following a 13-game winless run across all competitions, Wigan have now won two of their last four in the league and are showing signs of improvement.
Leeds United Championship form: DWDLLW
Leeds United form (all competitions): WDLLLW
Wigan Athletic Championship form: DLWLLW
Wigan Athletic form (all competitions): LWLLLW
Team News
© Reuters
Leeds boss Bielsa's injury list is growing shorter by the day as he welcomes players back into the fold.
Midfielder Adam Forshaw has returned to training, although he may not be risked for the clash against Wigan.
Meanwhile, left-back Barry Douglas is the only player to be ruled out completely with injury, while Kalvin Phillips remains suspended.
For Wigan, head coach Cook also does not have too many injury issues to deal with.
Dujon Sterling and Charlie Mulgrew are both expected to miss the contest, while Danny Fox will be assessed.
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Casilla; Ayling, White, Cooper, Alioski; Klich; Costa, Dallas, Hernandez, Harrison; Bamford
Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Byrne, Kipre, Naismith, Robinson; Morsy, Evans; Dowell, Gelhardt, Lowe; Moore
We say: Leeds United 2-1 Wigan Athletic
Both teams are in a similar vein of form, but the league leaders, with home advantage, are a superior side and should have too much for Wigan on this occasion.
body check tags ::
