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Attendance: 35,567
Leeds logo
Championship | Gameweek 16
Nov 9, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Blackburn logo

2-1

Bamford (30' pen.), Harrison (35')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Williams (40')

Preview: Leeds United vs. Blackburn Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews the Championship fixture between Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Promotion-chasing Leeds United host Blackburn Rovers as they look to keep the pressure on Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion.

Blackburn put an end to a six-game winless run with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday last time out and will hope for victory against another Yorkshire club.


Match preview

Leeds United's Jack Harrison celebrates scoring their second goal against QPR on November 2, 2019© Reuters

Leeds's 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers last time out marked their fourth successive game without defeat as they look to stabilise their form.

Marcelo Bielsa's side started with a bang, winning five and drawing one of their first six games across all competitions, conceding just twice in that run.

However, they then lost three of their next six in the league as some profligate finishing cost them points, scoring just five times in that run compared to the 10 they hit in their first five Championship outings.

Two draws and two wins have since followed, but head coach Bielsa has come in for some rare criticism from Leeds fans for persisting with Patrick Bamford ahead of on-loan Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.

Blackburn will hope to take advantage of some of that wayward finishing, as they have the joint-third worst defensive record of any side outside the relegation zone.

In fact, they have not kept a clean sheet since a 2-0 win over Millwall in mid-September - eight games ago - and have managed just four overall this term.

A mixed start to the league campaign featured four wins from Blackburn's first eight Championship games, but their form gave out as September gave way to October.

A six-game winless run including four defeats followed, before finally picking up three points against Wednesday last time out.

Leeds United form: WLWDDW
Blackburn Rovers form: DLDLLW


Team News

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

Bielsa's decision to field Bamford up front has been made easier through Nketiah picking up an abdominal injury, but the lack of firepower from the bench could be concerning for Leeds.

Jamie Shackleton and Adam Forshaw are out, limiting Bielsa's midfield options, while Gjanni Alioski is also unavailable with injury.

However, Barry Douglas is back after a knee problem and could be thrust straight back into action to cover for Alioski at left-back.

Stuart Dallas has been a regular in the side of late and has been used in a variety of roles including winger, central midfield and both full-back positions, meaning he could be the man to step in instead.

Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray will be unable to call on Darragh Lenihan, Ben Brereton, Dominic Samuel and Harry Chapman, who are working their way back from injury.

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

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Walton; Bennett, Nyambe, Adarabioyo, Williams; Travis, Downing; Holtby, Dack, Armstrong; Gallagher


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Leeds United 1-0 Blackburn Rovers

Leeds are favourites in almost every Championship game but rarely seem to win by more than the odd goal. The promotion-chasing side should win, but it could be another narrow scoreline.



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Written by
Sean Wilson
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Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa on September 28, 2019
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Today's games header
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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