Preview: Sheffield Wednesday vs. Leeds United

Leeds United will look to get their playoff challenge back on track when they face Sheffield Wednesday in a Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough on Saturday.

Brian McDermott's side suffered a torrid festive period and are without a win in their last five matches in all competitions, losing their last three including a humiliating FA Cup exit at the hands of Rochdale on Saturday.

That run has left Leeds eighth in the Championship table, although a win would see them rise two places into the playoff spots for a few hours at least.

That would require them to improve their away form, which has seen them win just two and lose eight of their last 11 games on their travels.

The visitors have a fully fit squad to choose from, although Scott Wootton is expected to start the match on the bench having only recently returned to fitness.

Wednesday, meanwhile, are still without a permanent manager having parted company with Dave Jones more than a month ago.

Caretaker boss Stuart Gray has seen his side improve over the packed Christmas period, and they go into Saturday's match having lost just one of their last six games in all competitions.

The Owls moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over Blackpool on New Year's Day, but their most recent outing saw them held in the FA Cup by non-league Macclesfield.

The hosts have been in patchy form at Hillsborough this season, losing five of their 11 matches in front of their own fans, including three of the last five, while winning just three times and drawing the same number of games.

Wednesday will be without Anthony Gardner and Rafael Floro through injury, although they are expected to name Connor Wickham up front again as the Sunderland loanee looks to add to his impressive tally of seven goals in 10 games.

Recent form

Sheffield Wednesday: WLDDWD

Leeds: WDDLLL

Possible starting lineups

Sheffield Wednesday: Kirkland; Palmer, Loovens, Johnson, Mattock; Antonio, Semedo, Maghoma, Lee; Wickham, Maguire

Leeds: Kenny; Pearce, Lees, Zaliukas; Byram, Murphy, Brown, Austin, Pugh; Smith, McCormack

Sports Mole says: 1-1