Bristol City v Leeds United preview: Team news, head-to-head, where to watch, prediction
Leeds United will travel to Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday (26 October) as Daniel Farke looks to continue his side’s march up the league table.
The Whites are up to third place thanks to a 2-1 win against Watford at Elland Road on Tuesday [22 October] and are level on points with second-place Burnley.
Preview
Bristol City trail seven points behind Leeds heading into the clash at Ashton Gate but have proven difficult to beat in the Championship, embarking on a six-match unbeaten run since the 3-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers in September.
The Whites, on the other hand, are flying high in the league under Farke and are on an identical six-match unbeaten streak, which includes a monumental 2-0 win against then-league leaders Sheffield United in the Yorkshire derby.
Two quick-fire goals inside the first 10 minutes at Elland Road, courtesy of Largie Ramazani and Brenden Aaronson, secured a vital victory against Watford last time out.
There were some negatives from the game, despite the glowing performance of Ao Tanaka, as Wilfried Gnonto and Jayden Bogle were seen in a heated spat after Kwadwo Baah set up a nervy second-half with what proved to be a consolation goal for the Hornets.
Farke will be hoping for a more straightforward affair this time out and, with Dan James and Manor Solomon slowly returning to the side, Leeds should have the firepower to blow Bristol City away on their own patch and continue their resurgence up the Championship table.
However, the Robins have proven to be formidable opponents this season and the Whites will need to be at their best to get a result at Ashton Gate.
Form Guide [Championship]
Bristol City: DWDDD
Leeds United: WWDDW
Head-to-Head [all competitions]
Bristol City 0-1 Leeds United [2 February, 2024]
Leeds United 2-1 Bristol City [7 October, 2023]
Leeds United 1-0 Bristol City [15 February, 2020]
Bristol City 1-3 Leeds United [4 August, 2019]
Bristol City 0-1 Leeds United [9 March, 2019]
Team News
Leeds will be without Junior Firpo as the left-back serves a suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Watford.
Ramazani is expected to be missing on the weekend after sustaining a twisted ankle in the same fixture – Farke has since revealed it will take “luck” for the forward to be available to feature against Bristol.
However, attacking duo James and Solomon will be in contention to replace the Belgian after two consecutive cameo appearances since their respective injury concerns.
Farke, of course, is without trio Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev and Max Wober, who are all continuing their rehabilitation from long-term injuries.
Those midfield lay-offs led to the club bringing in free agent Josuha Guilavogui on a short-term deal this week and he could make his debut here, likely as a substitute.
For Bristol, Joe Williams will also serve a suspension against Leeds for five yellow card offences this season after his booking in the 2-2 draw against Stoke City.
Hogg is also facing an injury crisis at Ashton Gate with Sam Bell, Ayman Benarous, Cameron Pring, Rob Dickie and Rob Atkinson all ruled out for the weekend.
Predicted lineups
Bristol City: O’Leary, Tanner, Vyner, McNally, McCrorie, Bird, Knight, Sykes, Earthy, Mehmeti, Wells
Leeds United: Meslier, Bogle, Struijk, Rodon, Byram, Tanaka, Rothwell, Gnonto, Aaronson, Solomon, Joseph
Where to watch?
The match at Ashton Gate kicks off at 12:30pm GMT on 26 October and will be live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports+, as well as the Sky Go app.
Prediction: Bristol City 0-3 Leeds United
Bristol City are more than capable of causing Leeds problems but the momentum is certainly in the visitors’ favour heading into the Championship clash.
The Whites have won each of their past five meetings with the Robins and the trend will be expected to continue at Ashton Gate.
Farke has welcomed James and Solomon back into the first team, and the attacking options on display at Elland Road will surely be the deciding factor that secures another vital three points in the race for automatic promotion.
In other Leeds United news, Daniel Farke gives his approval to Josuha Guilavogui at Elland Road.
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