Preview: Leeds United vs. Queens Park Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

Leeds United and Queens Park Rangers head into Saturday's Championship fixture at Elland Road with five places separating the clubs in the standings.

However, victory for QPR will take the London outfit above their hosts, who currently sit in third position.

Match preview

While Leeds remain well placed to challenge for automatic promotion at the end of the season, there is a feeling that they are currently not performing under Marcelo Bielsa.

Just three goals and five points have come from their last four outings in the Championship, a run of form which has allowed West Bromwich Albion to establish a two-point advantage at the top of the standings.

Despite those behind the scenes being content with the current situation, there will be an acknowledgement that a squad containing such quality should have capitalised on a strong start to the campaign.

The debate also continues over the non-selection of Eddie Nketiah, with the Arsenal loanee still remaining without a start in the league since his arrival.

QPR will hope that Bielsa's perceived stubbornness regarding the England Under-21 international will play into their favour after failing to win either of their home matches against Reading and Brentford.

The opportunity was there for Mark Warburton's outfit to put themselves near the top of the table, with a return of just one point leaving the club in eighth spot.

Nevertheless, Warburton will not lose sight of the bigger picture as his young squad, unfancied ahead of this season, maintain their unlikely bid to earn a return to the Premier League.

To some extent, there is still no pressure on QPR, and that could play into their favour when taking on Leeds on away territory at the weekend.

Leeds United form: LWLWDD

Queens Park Rangers form: LLWWDL

Team News

Bielsa must decide whether to stick with the 3-4-3 formation that he deployed during the goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

While failing to break the deadlock, Leeds created numerous clear chances at Hillsborough, potentially encouraging the Argentine to keep the same setup.

That decision would likely see Nketiah and Liam Cooper remain among the substitutes.

QPR boss Warburton is able to call upon Jordan Hugill, who missed Monday's encounter with Brentford due to a one-match suspension.

The West Ham United loanee may get the nod over Nakhi Wells, while Luke Amos could be involved in midfield should Warburton decide to strengthen his numbers in the middle of the pitch.

Leeds United possible starting lineup: Casilla; Ayling, White, Berardi; Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Alioski; Costa, Bamford, Harrison

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup: Kelly; Rangel, Leistner, Hall, Manning; Eze, Cameron; Scowen, Samuel; Chair, Hugill

We say: Leeds United 2-1 Queens Park Rangers

Leeds have struggled for goals at Elland Road throughout this season, and that may continue this weekend. However, the Yorkshire outfit should have enough quality to see off their opponents, especially when considering the manner of their defeat to Brentford.