Preview: Leeds United vs. Sheffield Wednesday - prediction, team news, lineups

Championship leaders Leeds United take on playoff-chasing Sheffield Wednesday in a Yorkshire derby on Saturday.

Leeds are only ahead of West Bromwich Albion at the top of the table on goal difference and will be keen to stay ahead of their title rivals with a positive result.

Match preview

Leeds have stumbled a little of late after their seven-game winning streak between November and December came to an end with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Cardiff City.

In fact, the league leaders have won just one of their last five Championship games - another goal-filled contest against Birmingham City that finished 5-4 - drawing three and losing the other.

They also lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the FA Cup last time out - just their second defeat in their last 16 games across all competitions.

However, they remain top of the pile as the third-highest scorers, while also boasting the second-best defence in the division.

Wednesday are on a dire recent run of form in the league, having suffered three straight defeats.

However, their 1-0 win over Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup was a morale-boosting result and Garry Monk will hope to build on that.

The reverse fixture between these two ended in a 0-0 stalemate at Hillsborough, and it may be that both sides are once again more keen to avoid defeat than claim victory.

Wednesday have conceded just five more goals than Leeds this season, giving them the fifth-best record in the division.

Leeds United Championship form: WDLDWD Leeds United form (all competitions): DLDWDL

Sheffield Wednesday Championship form: DWWLLL Sheffield Wednesday form (all competitions): WWLLLW

Team News

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is has a number of midfielders struggling for fitness at the moment.

Creative talisman Pablo Hernandez is ruled out, while Jamie Shackleton and Adam Forshaw are both doubtful as they close in on a return from injury.

The hosts only have one striker available in Patrick Bamford after Arsenal recalled Eddie Nketiah from his loan spell.

Wednesday manager Monk also has three first-team regulars missing through injury; Steven Fletcher, Liam Palmer and Fernando Forestieri are all absent - the former's spell out a major blow.

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

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup: Dawson; Iorfa, Leeds, Borner, Fox; Reach, Luongo, Hutchinson, Bannan, Harris; Rhodes