Stoke City v Leeds United preview: Team news, where to watch, prediction
Leeds United face a quick turnaround on Boxing Day when they are back in Championship action with a trip to Stoke City.
The Whites were lauded as the “best” in the Championship by Oxford United caretaker boss Craig Short after Daniel Farke’s men eased past his side with an emphatic 4-0 win at Elland Road on Saturday [21 December].
Farke will be eager for his side to replicate the display on the weekend, in which one player in particular truly stood out.
Preview
Leeds responded to the disappointment of dropping points in a 1-1 draw against Preston North End by reminding their Championship rivals of how difficult it is to travel to Elland Road.
Brenden Aaronson produced a “scintillating” performance in West Yorkshire as the American international assisted Jayden Bogle for the second goal of the afternoon before scoring himself 10 minutes later.
Dan James and Manor Solomon also got themselves on the scoresheet as the Whites’ attack was in full flow against a depleted Oxford side.
Furthermore, Leeds have been gifted another favourable fixture on paper against Stoke, who were thwarted by ten men Sheffield Wednesday on the weekend and are winless in their last eight outings.
Narcis Pelach has struggled to get the Potters going since appointment in September, and with fixtures against Sunderland and Burnley to follow the clash against the Whites, his side are in the midst of a relegation battle.
However, the Stoke boss can take solace in Farke’s side’s inconsistent away form this season, and with Hull City the only team of the five sitting below them in the table garnering a game in hand, the visitors will need to be wary of facing a Championship outfit fighting for their lives.
Form Guide [Championship]
Stoke City: LDLLL
Leeds United: WDWWL
Head-to-Head [all competitions]
Leeds United 1-0 Stoke City [5 March, 2024]
Stoke City 1-0 Leeds United [25 October, 2023]
Leeds United 5-0 Stoke City [9 July, 2020]
Leeds United 2-2 Stoke City [27 August, 2019]
Stoke City 0-3 Leeds United [24 August, 2019]
Team News for Stoke City v Leeds United
Ethan Ampadu made his long-awaited return for Leeds on Saturday, with captain Pascal Struijk named on the bench after fitness concerns arose in the week, but Farke confirmed the Belgian was rested ahead of the hectic festive schedule and he will be expected to reclaim his place to face Stoke.
Max Wober was excluded from the matchday squad on the weekend as a precautionary measure, meanwhile, and he will be assessed before the trip to Stoke-on-Trent.
Farke will also be without Junior Firpo and Ilia Gruev – the pair are still rehabilitating from their respective injury issues.
Stoke will assess forward Ryan Mmaee ahead of the Boxing Day clash. He could join Enda Stevens, Ben Pearson and Million Manhoef on the sidelines.
Predicted lineups for Stoke City v Leeds United
Stoke City: Johansson, Wilmot, Rose, Gibson, Tchamadeu, Seko, Moran, Burger, Bocat, Cannon, Koumas
Leeds United: Meslier, Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Byram, Tanaka, Rothwell, James, Aaronson, Solomon, Joseph
Where to watch?
The match at the Bet365 Stadium kicks off at 8pm GMT on 26 December and will be available live on Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports + and available for streaming on the SkyGO and NOWTV apps.
Alternatively, supporters can also listen to commentary on BBC Radio Leeds.
Prediction: Stoke City 1-2 Leeds United
The Whites’ away form this season leaves a lot to be desired, but the visitors should have too much quality for the home side to deal with on Thursday.
Stoke have not looked sharp throughout the eight-match winless streak in the Championship, and after what happened at Deepdale, Farke will be eager to avoid a repeat.
However, Pelach will be expected to line up with a back five, similar to what we saw against Sheffield Wednesday, to help keep the Leeds attack at bay, but this will only delay the inevitable.
Leeds tore apart Oxford United, and while this encounter will undoubtedly be more tricky, the quality of the attack should prevail on the day.
In other Leeds news, the Whites attack may have a different look after the confirmed Aston Villa transfer news.
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