Leeds United will be hoping to continue their dominance over Bristol City when the two sides meet at Elland Road on Saturday.
The Whites have won the last four meetings against the Robins and are heavily favoured to make it five on the bounce.
However, nothing in football is guaranteed. The cliché “there is no such thing as an easy game” rings truest especially in the Championship.
Despite recent history being on their side, Leeds United supporters will be acutely aware of the dangers of counting their chickens before they hatch.
The mixed bag of recent results means Leeds United fans are back on a familiar ride transporting them to extremes of emotions, from ecstasy, to agony to mild frustration.
The roller-coaster ride
It’s an all-too-familiar feeling for the Leeds United faithful. Their team thrills and exasperates in equal measure. It’s the frustration of watching their side take two steps forward followed by one step back.
Just when they think their team has turned a corner and well placed to go on an extended run of positive results, they are quickly reminded of the unpredictable nature of the Championship.
A thumping 3-0 win at Millwall last month was followed by a disappointing goalless draw against Hull City, followed by a thumping 3-0 will over Watford, followed by a chastening 3-1 defeat at Southampton. At Leeds United the lows are not too far from the highs. It’s the typical Leeds United roller-coaster.
On the back of the win over Watford, Leeds United moved into the play-off spots for the first time this season. After an indifferent start to the campaign the victory imbued fans with a renewed sense of optimism going into the clash against an out-of-sorts Southampton who were on a four-match losing streak.
The 3-1 defeat at St Mary’s was a shock to the system and a reality check for the Whites. They were immediately shunted out of the promotion play-off spots before they had even had the opportunity to admire their surroundings.
To their credit, Leeds United bounced back immediately with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Championship strugglers Queens Park Rangers, securing an instant return to the top 6 in the process.
Consolidation
Can Leeds United consolidate their place in the play-off spots?
Manager Daniel Farke will be keenly aware of the importance of building some momentum and staying within striking distance of the pacesetters.
Leeds United are six points adrift of top spot, which at this early stage in the season is not a bad place to be in. It keeps them in the promotion reckoning and with a shot at automatic promotion when we reach the business end of the campaign.
A win against Bristol City would be the perfect gift to fans going into the international break, and a much-needed boost in the grand scheme of things, especially with a tricky trip to Norwich City to follow after the international hiatus.
Team News
Leeds United will once again be without long-term absentees Junior Firpo (hip), Stuart Dallas, who suffered a setback in his comeback bid from a broken femur, Djed Spence (knee) and Wilfried Gnonto (ankle). Gnonto is expected to return to training after the international break.
Jaidon Antony (ankle) and Jamie Shackleton (shoulder) will be given the once-over to ascertain whether they are fit to feature against the Robins.
Farke’s defensive resources are a bit stretched with concerns over Sam Byram’s fitness and Shackleton almost certainly out of the selection reckoning
By contrast, the German is spoilt for choice in attack where he has Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter, Patrick Bamford, Joe Gelhardt and Mateo Joseph at his disposal all vying for the mantle of chief striker.
In midfield Ethan Ampadu has established himself as an automatic pick, one of the first names on the team sheet, leaving Glen Kamara, Archie Gray and Ilia Gruev to battle it out for the right to partner the Wales international in the engine room.
One player who will definitely not feature on Saturday is Helder Costa. The club announced on Friday that the forward had left the club by mutual consent.
Bring on the Robins.
Leeds United, how do I love thee!
