Leeds United welcome the visit of Rotherham United in the Championship on Saturday, as both Steve Evans and Neil Redfearn square up against the sides that they last managed.
Evans has been at the helm of a slight revival at Leeds, while Redfearn is winless in six since taking over at the Millers.
Leeds United
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New Leeds coach Evans has enjoyed a positive start to life at Elland Road, having picked up eight points from a possible 15 during his time in charge.
Evans was able to steer his side to two consecutive draws in his opening matches, before things were brought to a halt following a resounding home defeat to Blackburn Rovers.
That loss appears to have inspired United, however, who went on to win their next two fixtures with promising results over Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town.
Saturday's fixture presents an important occasion for Evans as he takes on the side that he last managed, and he will be hopeful of making use of two straight clean sheets in order to lay the foundations for a victory over Redfearn.
Taking points off Rotherham seems even more fundamental given that both Hull City and Queens Park Rangers await Evans in the coming weeks, and he will be keen to ensure that his side are still in the running to displace the R's further up the table when they meet at the end of the month.
Leeds fans will be delighted about the recent form of midfielder Alex Mowatt, who has risen to clinch the club's last two victories with important goals at vital times. The hosts have had three players away on international duty recently, but they will be hoping that they do not feel any European hangover as they aim to record a trio of wins on the bounce.
Recent form: LDDLWW
Rotherham United
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Redfearn returns to Elland Road after his rather acrimonious departure from the club knowing that he needs to do something at Rotherham and quickly.
Regardless of the positive reception he is likely to receive at Leeds, the Rotherham coach will be well aware that he is in dire need of results, having been unable to register a single win since taking over in early October.
Rotherham have lost five out of their six games under Redfearn, whose only point for the Millers so far came during a 1-1 draw at home to Reading.
Following that draw, Rotherham have lost five on the trot while conceding a troubling tally of 11 goals in the process, five of which came in a 5-2 home defeat to travellers Ipswich Town.
Survival will not be beyond United as things stand given that the likes of the MK Dons, Charlton Athletic and Bolton Wanderers are still well within reach, but Redfearn will need to get his side ticking soon if they want to climb off the foot of the table.
One bright spark to emerge recently is Manchester City loanee Brandon Barker, who scored on his debut for the club despite only being at Rotherham for a matter of weeks. Fans will be hoping that the creative youngster can shine again at the weekend in order to put an end to a torrid run of results.
Recent form: LDLLLL
Team News
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Leeds boss Evans has already suggested that he could make one or two changes given the run of international games, with Chris Wood, Stuart Dallas and Lewis Cook all spending time away on duty.
Charlie Taylor is still suffering with an illness, but Liam Cooper could feature despite picking up concussion during the win over Huddersfield.
As for the away side, Rotherham could welcome back Richard Smallwood and Jonson Clarke-Harris from the sidelines.
Redfearn should deploy youngster Barker just behind two strikers, who should come in the form of Clarke-Harris and Matt Derbyshire.
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Berardi, Cooper, Bellusci, Wootton; Cook, Mowatt, Murphy, Dallas; Wood, Antenucci
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Camp; Mattock, Rawson, Collins, Richardson; Smallwood, Ward, Green; Barker; Clarke-Harris, Derbyshire
Head To Head
Rotherham certainly hold the advantage when looking at the last six fixtures played between the two teams. The Millers have managed to pick up three wins, two draws and one loss over the past six meetings. The clubs last met in the Championship during the 2014-15 campaign, where Rotherham notched a 2-1 win at home, before settling for a goalless draw at Elland Road.
We say: Leeds United 2-1 Rotherham United
Evans seems to have pushed his side into good shape in the past two fixtures and Leeds have definitely improved defensively over the past few weeks. The club's coach will be looking for a few more goals from his strikers and they will be confident of delivering them against a lowly Rotherham side. Redfearn has it all to do down at the bottom, but do not write his men off just yet even if they do go on to lose on Saturday. Given the run of five defeats, Leeds will fancy taking three points off Rotherham at home, but the visitors should put up a bit more of a fight than they have shown recently.
Christopher Dodd
