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

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Saturday's Championship encounter between Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United.

Leeds United make the short trip to Sheffield Wednesday this weekend sitting in second position in the Championship standings.

However, their hosts on Saturday afternoon are only one point adrift in third place, providing them with the opportunity to overtake their fierce rivals with a win.


Match preview

Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk on October 5, 2019© Reuters

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Sheffield Wednesday at the beginning of the campaign, the arrival of Garry Monk has helped move the Owls into promotion contention.

While goals continue to be a problem, a total of 14 points have been recorded from seven fixtures, putting Wednesday in second spot in the form table.

Monk has reiterated that he is paying little attention to the standings at this stage of the campaign, although the newly-appointed manager will know that the foundations appear to be in place for a shot at a return to the Premier League.

The Yorkshire giants head into Saturday's showdown having suffered just one defeat in their last six home matches, while Monk has overseen successive 1-0 triumphs at Hillsborough over Wigan Athletic and Stoke City respectively.

Leeds have been far from their best over the past month, with just eight points being recorded from their last six outings at the second tier.

Nevertheless, Marcelo Bielsa will take encouragement from a hard-fought win over Birmingham City, which was followed by a 1-1 draw at promotion rivals Preston North End in midweek.

Like with Wednesday, however, there are problems in the final third as Bielsa continues to keep Arsenal loanee Eddie Nketiah on the substitutes' bench.

However, after netting a late equaliser at Deepdale on Tuesday evening, the England Under-21 international will hope that he is finally provided with an opportunity in the first XI for the highly-anticipated derby clash at the weekend.

Sheffield Wednesday form: LWLWDL

Leeds United form: DLWLWD


Team News

England's Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring their fifth goal to complete his hat-trick on October 15, 2019© Reuters

While Nketiah has played himself into Bielsa's thoughts ahead of this game, the Argentine will still likely hand the nod to Patrick Bamford.

Barring any late injury issues, Bielsa could opt to keep the same starting lineup, with Ezgjan Alioski staying at left-back in place of Barry Douglas.

Monk may also keep changes to a minimum after witnessing his players grind out success against Stoke.

Kieran Lee could potentially come into the midfield if Monk decides to tighten things up in the centre of the pitch.

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup: Dawson; Palmer, Iorfa, Borner, Fox; Lee, Hutchinson, Reach; Bannan, Harris; Fletcher

Leeds United possible starting lineup: Casilla; Ayling, White, Bwrardi, Alioski; Phillips; Costa, Dallas, Klich, Harrison; Bamford


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Leeds United

Everything is pointing to a hard-fought draw on Saturday afternoon. While Wednesday will hope that home advantage will work in their favour, Leeds have produced their better performances away from Elland Road during the opening months of the season.


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Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United?

Sheffield Wednesday
Draw
Leeds United
Sheffield Wednesday
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Leeds United
0.0%
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Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa on September 28, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool109102381528
2Manchester CityMan City107123292322
3Leicester CityLeicester106222581720
4Chelsea106222316720
5Arsenal104421514116
6Crystal Palace104331012-215
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd103431310313
8Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1034398113
9Bournemouth103431313013
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham103431214-213
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs103341615112
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves102621313012
13Burnley103341415-112
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton103341214-212
15Aston Villa103251516-111
16Everton103161016-610
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle10235615-99
18Southampton10226925-168
19Norwich CityNorwich102171124-137
20Watford10055521-165

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