Hull City v Leeds United preview: Team news, where to watch, prediction, lineups
Daniel Farke will be eager to extend his side’s lead at the top of the Championship when Leeds United travel to face Hull City on Saturday.
The Whites began 2025 on a sour note as Danny Batth’s 90th-minute equaliser snatched away the three points at Elland Road in the 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers on 1 January, with concerns already emerging after the New Year.
Max Wober will be kicking himself after spurning a golden opportunity in the dying embers of the clash to restore the hosts’ lead, but Leeds must dust themselves off and prepare to go again at the MKM Stadium on 4 January.
Preview
The frustrations boiled over on Wednesday after Manor Solomon was seen furious in the dugout at Elland Road following his substitution, with the score tied at 0-0.
However, Sheffield United suffered a 2-1 loss against Sunderland later that day, while Burnley drew with Stoke City, to ensure the Whites maintain a three-point gap at the Championship summit.
Furthermore, they have a favourable fixture to bounce back from the draw last time out against a relegation-threatened Hull side, who have struggled this term.
Ruben Selles has picked up two victories in his last four outings since taking the reins on 7 December, but has yet to produce a consistent run of form since succeeding Tim Walter.
Leeds recorded a comfortable 2-0 win against the Tigers in the reverse fixture and will be in a perfect position to repeat the feat in East Yorkshire.
Form Guide [Championship]
Hull City: LWLWL
Leeds United: DWWWD
Head-to-Head [all competitions]
Leeds United 2-0 Hull City [31 August, 2024]
Leeds United 3-1 Hull City [1 April, 2024]
Hull City 0-0 Leeds United [20 September, 2023]
Leeds United 1-1 Hull City [16 September, 2020]
Hull City 0-4 Leeds United [29 February, 2020]
Team News for Hull City v Leeds United
While Farke confirmed Junior Firpo is in the final stages of his recovery ahead of a return to the first-team fold, he will remain on the sidelines alongside Ilia Gruev for the weekend.
Jayden Bogle is a concern heading to the MKM Stadium after he was forced off against Blackburn, but Sam Byram, who has withdrawn at half-time through illness, faces a better chance of featuring against Hull.
Selles boasts an extensive injury list ahead of the Leeds clash, with Mohamed Belloumi, Liam Millar, Karl Rushworth, Kasey Palmer, Charlie Hughes and Ryan Longman all absentees, while Oscar Zambrano is suspended.
Predicted lineups for Hull City v Leeds United
Hull City: Pandur, Drameh, Jones, McLoughlin, Coyle, Alzate, Simons, Omur, Slater, Burstow, Pedro
Leeds United: Meslier, Ampadu, Rodon, Struijk, Wober, Rothwell, Tanaka, James, Aaronson, Solomon, Piroe
Where to watch?
The match at the MKM Stadium kicks off at 3pm GMT on 4 January and will be unavailable for live television coverage in the UK.
Alternatively, supporters can also listen to commentary on BBC Radio Leeds.
Prediction: Hull City 0-2 Leeds United
Although Leeds have questionable form on the road in the Championship, Farke’s men should face no problems in the trip across Yorkshire.
Selles is still finding his feet at Hull, and with the extensive injury list piling up at the MKM Stadium, his depleted side will not be able to compete against the league leaders.
The draw against Blackburn will only fuel the Whites’ desire to return to winning ways, and on their day, no side in the second tier can cope.
In other Leeds news, a Whites ace is caught in a rut at Elland Road after what Daniel Farke said.
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