Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of today's Championship match between Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Elland Road.
Forget Euro 2012, pre-season fixtures and the Olympics – the domestic football season is upon us once more as two of the favourites for the Championship crown clash in their first league match.
Leeds finished the previous campaign in 14th position after a disappointing end to the season, but with Neil Warnock having a full pre-season in charge, big things are expected.
Meanwhile, Wolves were relegated from the Premier League after finishing bottom last season, but they have managed to keep the bulk of their squad at Molineux and will expect to bounce straight back.
Please note that kickoff is at 12.45pm.
2.46pmThat just about does it for me! Just a reminder that we have a host of Premier League live commentaries to choose from this afteroon. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Stay with us!
2.44pmLeeds will also take heart from the performances of their almost entirely new XI. Meanwhile, it was all too similiar for Wolves with the Midlands club lacking invention and ideas.
2.42pmSo there we have it. Leeds make a perfect start to their Championship campaign following a first-half header from Becchio. Both sides had chances in the opening half, but the second period was a slight non-event, as Wolves' troubles continue.
FULL-TIMELeeds 1-0 Wolves
2.40pm... but the Leeds defence remains strong. That could be just about it for this afternoon.
2.40pmLeeds are almost there as Elland Road erupts into song. Maybe one last chance as Peszko attacks down the right...
2.38pmLeeds have the ball just where they want it at the moment - in the Wolves half. Time is just starting to run out.
2.36pmA host of corners for Wolves in the latter stages - as five minutes of time are added. There is still time here.
2.34pmChance! Really good effort from Byram as he strikes from outside the box, but it just moves high of the crossbar.
2.32pmAnother sighter for Wolves as Jarvis meets a volley on the edge of the box, but he slices it wide. Three minutes of normal time remaining in Leeds.
2.30pmWolves continue on the attack with Jarvis remaining a threat out wide, but there has simply been no way through this afternoon.
2.28pmFinal change for Wolves as David Edwards replaces Stearman for the final eight minutes or so.
2.27pmDiouf continues to impress in this second half as he gains a free kick in an advanced position. Meanwhile, Ikeme comes to punch the resulting danger clear.
2.25pmIt has turned into quite a scrappy match at the moment with both sides flying into challenges. Leeds are just parking the bus - holding on to what they have.
2.23pmOh my word. It's terrible from Doyle as he falls over unchallenged in the area. But the pressure is all one-way at the moment with little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
2.21pmAnother change for Leeds as Tom Lees replaces McCormack. Defender for a striker.
2.21pmAnother half-chance for Leeds as McCormack finds Becchio inside the box, but the striker's effort is straight at Ikeme. Meanwhile, Peszko heads just wide down the other end.
2.19pmIt's all Wolves at the moment with Jarvis, Henry and Peszko all involved around the edge of the Leeds box. But the final ball continues to elude them. Meanwhile, a host of nasty challenges continue to fly in from Leeds.
2.17pmSighter for Peszko as the winger picks up possession on the edge of the box, but he fires it high and wide when he might have done better.
2.15pmBest spell of the match for Wolves as they force a number of corners and free kicks, but they just cannot find a way through at the moment.
2.15pmChange for Wolves as Sigurdarson replaces the poor Ebanks-Blake. Can the striker grab a goal on his debut?
2.13pmMeanwhile, a word of praise must go to Leeds midfielder Austin. He has been just wonderful this afternoon. Not the best technically, but he gives everything to the cause.
2.11pmHowever, it's poor from Wolves as Ebanks-Blake fires wide following a pass from Ward. Really disappointing.
2.09pmFree kick for Wolves just outside the box as Peszko is hauled down by White - who is booked for the challenge. Big chance for the away side.
2.07pmAnother sighter for Leeds as Varney strikes an effort from outside the box, but Stearman deflects it behind for a corner - which Austin heads at Ikeme.
2.05pmFrustration continues for Jarvis as he chops Diouf to the ground. However, McCormack's free kick is cleared by Johnson. An hour gone at Elland Road.
2.03pmChance! Clearest opening of the match for Wolves as Henry finds Peszko in the box, but his final ball was poor when he might have taken the shot on himself. What a chance.
2.01pmFirst real involvement for Peszko as he dances past White before being felled by the Leeds defender. The Wolves winger looks to have a little something about him.
1.59pmChance! Wonderful opportunity for Leeds to make it two as Norris finds Varney, but Ikeme just gathers the danger. Wolves are all over the place at the back.
1.57pmAgain it continues to break down for Wolves in advanced areas, they need something different here. A goal either way changes the course of this match.
1.55pmAnother sighter for Leeds as Varney whips a cross into the box - but it's just too long for McCormack. Wolves simply have not had the ball thus far.
1.53pmThe home side have started on the attack as Diouf floats a cross into the box, but Wolves just manage to clear the danger. They do not look comfortable in defence that's for certain.
1.51pmFirst half-chance of the second half falls to Leeds as Austin thumps an effort from outside the box, but Stearman makes the block.
1.49pmChange for Wolves with Peszko joining the action in place of Forde. Meanwhile, Leeds get us underway.
1.49pmHere we go then. The players are just emerging onto the pitch for the second period. Home form was disappointing for Leeds last season, but they look good this time around.
1.47pmWhat will the second half bring? I am going to put it on the table that this match will end 2-1 to Leeds. Let's review that in about 50 minutes time.
1.45pmJust a reminder that the rest of today's Championship action gets underway at 3pm. Meanwhile, Sports Mole have a host of Premier League commentaries on offer this afternoon.
1.43pmAs for Leeds, they do not really have a host of attacking options on the bench - with Diouf joining us late in the half.
1.41pmHowever, this is Championship football. It can all change so quickly. Will we see a debut for new Wolves striker Bjorn Sigurdarson in the second period? Meanwhile, Slawomir Peszko could add some much needed invention to the midfield.
1.39pmJarvis has only seen the ball in patches, while it just isn't sticking with Doyle or Ebanks-Blake in forward areas. They also look shaky in defence.
1.37pmLeeds boss Neil Warnock will certainly be the happier at the break - with his seven new signings gelling nicely. Meanwhile, it has not quite happened for Wolves thus far.
1.35pmSo there we have it. The referee brings an exciting opening period to an end. The only goal of the half came after 17 minutes when Becchio headed past Ikeme. However, both sides have had chances.
HALF-TIMELeeds 1-0 Wolves
1.33pmDiouf is chopped down with his first touch. I don't think the Wolves players are his biggest fans! Meanwhile, Stearman blocks a McCormack effort inside the box.
1.32pmMeanwhile, we will play an addition of two minutes at the end of the half - with Wolves on the attack.
1.32pmHere he comes! Diouf replaces the injured Green. The Senegal striker gets a warm reception from the crowd.
1.30pmGreen's afternoon looks to be over as he hobbles off. They are down to ten men for the moment. Can Wolves capitalise? Byram says no as he denies Jarvis once more.
1.28pmWonderful defending from Sam Byram as he denies Jarvis, before the Wolves man takes a ride on his back. Although, Paul Green has a problem for the home side.
1.26pmPlay is resumed as Doumbia rises to his feet. I think his pride has been hurt more than his body. Little under 10 minutes remaining of the opening half.
1.24pmDoumbia looks to have a problem at the moment as he is clattered twice within 30 seconds. Welcome to the English Championship!
1.24pmHalf-chance for Wolves as Jarvis floats a free kick into the box, but Kenny collects the danger. Meanwhile, a Leeds attack just breaks down at the other end.
1.22pmMeanwhile, frustration continues for Wolves as Doyle is penalised for handball. They are crying out for Steven Fletcher - already.
1.20pmLeeds' front two continue to combine the better as McCormack finds his strike partner outside the box, but Becchio is crowded out at the vital moment.
1.18pmNo real chances for either side in the past 10 minutes or so - with Neil Warnock looking very animated on the sideline. I think he was doing the YMCA.
1.16pmIt's better from Wolves as Doyle evades Pearce before finding a cross into the box, but the danger is cleared once more. They are crying out for some invention in the middle of the park.
1.14pmI know this is Championship football, but everything is going long for Wolves at the moment - and the Leeds defence are lapping it up.
1.12pmSo, 25 minutes on the clock at Elland Road. Both sides have had chances, but Becchio's header remains the only goal thus far. However, I can see a few more goals in this one.
1.10pmMeanwhile, big cheer from the Leeds crowd as Diouf warms up. Yep, seriously. Oh how times change.
1.10pmIt's been a decent response from Wolves with Jarvis carrying a threat down the right, but Leeds' new additions have risen to the challenge thus far.
1.08pmHalf-chance for Wolves as Jarvis floats a cross towards Ebanks-Blake, but the pass was just too long - and Kenny restarts the play.
1.06pmThe goal had been coming, but either side would have been worth the lead. This is a real test for Wolves now. But they have had good chances of their own.
1.04pmLeeds take the lead as McCormack finds Becchio in the box - and the striker stoops low to thump his header past Ikeme.
1.04pmGOAL! Leeds 1-0 Wolves (Becchio 17 minutes)
1.04pmChance! Best opportunity of the match falls to Leeds as Becchio attempts to find McCormack in the box, but Ikeme just makes the block. How is this game stil 0-0?
1.02pmChance! Wolves come close to taking the lead as Roger Johnson thumps a header towards goal, but Ebanks-Blake is in the way.
1.02pmDecent spell of possession from Wolves with Jarvis and Doyle linking well around the Leeds box, before the former gains a corner.
1pmIt's been a steady start from Wolves new boy Tongo Doumbia - great name by the way. He could be a huge addition at this level. Meanwhile, the action remains end-to-end at the moment.
12.58pmSuddenly the match has burst into life as Wolves advance straight down the other end, but Jarvis is felled by Pearce.
12.58pmChance! Oh my word! Two clear chances for Leeds to take the lead as Pearce's header is denied by Kenny, while Paul Green's effort is blocked on the line.
12.56pmAnother sighter for Leeds as Varney finds the head of Austin in the box, but the defender failed to make a proper connection. Meanwhile, it so nearly fell for Ebanks-Blake down the other end, but Paddy Kenny was out to collect.
12.54pmBest chance of the match for Leeds as McCormack finds Luke Varney on the edge of the box, but his effort is over the bar. Meanwhile, Luciano Becchio was tugged in the area - penalty anyone?!
12.52pmEver so sloppy from Wolves at the moment with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Doyle struggling to keep possession of the ball. Meanwhile, it isn't quite sticking for Leeds either.
12.50pmEarly pressure from Wolves as Ward whips in a dangerous corner, but Jason Pearce thumps the header clear. Positive start from both sides in the early stages.
12.48pmNot the best start from Wolves as Henry dwells on the ball in midfield. However, Rodolph Austin's pass is cleared by Carl Ikeme.
12.46pmPre-match hug from Wolves and they are finally ready to kick things off on this humid afternoon at Elland Road.
12.44pmHere we go then. The players are on the pitch. New signing Lee Peltier captains Leeds. Meanwhile, Henry has been given the armband for Wolves.
12.42pmA final thought on El Hadji-Diouf - the man who Neil Warnock had previously branded "a sewer rat". Wouldn't it be just like football if he popped up with the winner this afternoon?
12.40pmThe first championship match of the season took place last night - with Cardiff City beating Huddersfield Town 1-0. Meanwhile, the rest of today's action gets underway at 3pm.
12.38pmMeanwhile, Leeds have been backed as one of the favourites this season. They have managed to keep hold of Ross McCormack - but it is a completely different team from the previous campaign.
12.36pmIt looks a decent Wolves side at this level, even without Fletcher. They need Doyle to have a strong season, while Karl Henry has recently signed a new long-term deal.
12.34pmTalk about a baptism of fire for Wolves boss Stale Solbakken as he visits Elland Road. It's so important that they get off to a good start.
12.34pmThe troubles continue for Wolves with star player Steven Fletcher desperate for a move away. Meanwhile, Michael Kightly has gone and Matt Jarvis also wants to return to the Premier League.
12.32pmIt's been all change at Leeds this summer with skipper Robert Snodgrass leaving for pastures new. Meanwhile, the controversial figure of El Hadji Diouf - who is on the bench today - has joined the ranks.
12.32pmSo there we have it. Seven players make their debuts for Leeds. Meanwhile, Matt Jarvis and Kevin Doyle start for Wolves. Although there is no place for wantaway striker Steven Fletcher.
12.30pmLeeds: Kenny; Peltier, Pearce, Green, Austin; Becchio, Varney, White, Norris; Byram, McCormack
Wolves: Ikeme; Zubar, Stearman, Johnson, Ward; Jarvis, Henry, Doumbia, Forde; Ebanks-Blake, Doyle
12.30pmGood afternoon all! The football season is upon us, and we begin with a Championship fixture that would look at home in the Premier League.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
