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Attendance: 35,731
Leeds logo
Championship | Gameweek 12
Oct 19, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Birmingham logo

1-0

Phillips (65')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Leeds United vs. Birmingham City - predictions, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews the Championship clash between Leeds United and Birmingham City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Leeds United host Birmingham City at Elland Road as they look to reclaim their place at the top of the Championship following their 2-1 defeat to Millwall last time out.

Birmingham fared rather better in their last game, beating Middlesbrough 2-1 late on thanks to an Odin Bailey strike.


Match Preview

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa on September 28, 2019© Reuters

Leeds United have dropped off after a sensational start to the season that saw them go unbeaten in their first five games, winning four of those.

However, Marcelo Bielsa's side have since lost three of their last six, each by a one-goal margin as a lack of clinical finishing plagues the team.

Leeds significantly out-shot their opposition in the 1-0 losses against both Swansea City and Charlton Athletic, and had the lion's share of possession in all three defeats.

There have been calls from many of the Leeds faithful to include on-loan Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah over the misfiring Patrick Bamford, who has failed to score a goal since August despite retaining his spot as first-choice centre-forward.

Nketiah, on the other hand, has managed four goals and an assist despite playing just 329 minutes across all competitions, an impressive record of a goal or assist every 65.8 minutes.

Birmingham have had a very mixed campaign, winning as many games as they have lost - five - to sit comfortably mid-table in 12th.

Caretaker head coach Pep Clotet's victory over Middlesbrough ended a run of three consecutive defeats and steadied the ship somewhat.

Leeds United form: LWDLWL
Birmingham City form: WWLLLW


Team News

Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring for Leeds United on September 15, 2019© Reuters

Bielsa lost Liam Cooper and Jamie Shackleton to injury during their 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion and both remain sidelined for this clash.

However, Leeds could be boosted by the returns of Adam Forshaw and the talismanic Pablo Hernandez, whom Bielsa indicated were aiming to return after the international break.

Gaetano Berardi's red card against Millwall has been rescinded, meaning he will be able to partner Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Ben White at the heart of defence once more.

For Clotet, Jefferson Montero, Jonathan Grounds and Cheick Keita are still lacking in terms of fitness, while Maikel Kieftenbeld remains a long-term absentee.

There are no fresh injury concerns for the caretaker boss, however, and he will be able to name an unchanged team if he chooses.

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

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Camp; Colin, Roberts, Dean, Pedersen; Crowley, Sunjic, Bellingham, Villalba; Alvaro, Jutkiewicz


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Leeds United 2-1 Birmingham City

Leeds come into most Championship games as the favourites and this is no different. Bielsa's side were reduced to 10 men for most of the contest against Millwall and were narrowly beaten but with a full complement they should run out winners - although they can only seem to win by the odd goal.



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Written by
Sean Wilson
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Fran Villalba in action for Birmingham City on August 31, 2019
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd20135228111742
2Leeds UnitedLeeds20125336142241
3Burnley2010822471738
4Sunderland20107329151437
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn1910452317634
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2071122314932
7Middlesbrough209473425931
8Watford199462725231
9Swansea CitySwansea207672119227
10Norwich CityNorwich206863530526
11Bristol City206862525026
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds207582329-626
13Millwall196762017325
14Preston North EndPreston2041062026-622
15Luton TownLuton2064102335-1222
16Coventry CityCoventry205692529-421
17Derby CountyDerby205692226-421
18Stoke CityStoke205692126-521
19Queens Park RangersQPR204972026-621
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd194692030-1018
21Portsmouth183872130-917
22Cardiff CityCardiff1945101730-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth1945101940-2117
24Hull City2037101828-1016


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