Championship Gameweek 43
Jul 12, 2020 1.30pm
0
1
HT : 0 0
FT Liberty Stadium
  • Rhian Brewster 29' yellowcard
  • Jay Fulton 33' yellowcard
  • yellowcard Mateusz Klich 31'
  • yellowcard Jack Harrison 75'
  • goal Pablo Hernandez 89'
  • yellowcard Pablo Hernandez 90'

Preview: Swansea City vs. Leeds United - prediction, team news, lineups

Swansea vs. Leeds - prediction, team news, lineups

Leeds United are now potentially within a couple of victories of automatic promotion from the Championship as they prepare for Sunday's visit to Swansea City.

The Whites regained top spot with a thumping win over Stoke City on Thursday, while Swansea also picked up a vital win in midweek to remain on course for the playoffs.


Match preview

The jibes Leeds faced on the back of their 2-0 loss to Cardiff City on last month's return to action were inevitable, and somewhat justified, given their recent history.

United have gained a tag for being the victims of their own demise - or 'bottlers' as rival fans put it - best epitomised by last season's collapse and playoff failure.

Things have been different in Marcelo Bielsa's second campaign at Elland Road, however, with the Whites taking 10 points from the last 12 since the defeat to Cardiff.

That leaves them six points clear of third-placed Brentford with four games to go, meaning that three wins will definitely make certain of top-flight football.

Leeds head to the Liberty Stadium on the back of three away wins in their last four matches, the exception being the loss to Cardiff on their last visit to South Wales.

Swansea will certainly not make life easy for the pacesetters, of course, the Swans having won back-to-back matches to revive their promotion campaign.

Steve Cooper's side are now a point behind bitter rivals Cardiff - who play away at Fulham on Friday evening - in the final playoff spot.

The Swans have lost just two of their last 11 home league matches, most recently beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 last weekend, and will be looking to keep their momentum going.

A victory on Sunday will also see Swansea complete a league double over Leeds for the first time in their history.

With crunch games against Nottingham Forest and Bristol City also still to come, before a final-day trip to Reading, Swansea need every point possible in the final run-in.

Swansea City's Championship form: DWLDWW

Leeds United's Championship form: WLWDWW


Team News

Swansea welcome Jordan Garrick back from suspension and his fresh legs could come in handy, though Cooper will be reluctant to change a winning formula.

Mike van der Hoorn is one of those in contention to return to the side in the backline, with the Swans expected to retain a five-man defence.

Ben Wilmot and Joe Rodon remain absent through injury, meanwhile, with neither player expected to play any further part this season.

As for Leeds, Pablo Hernandez has been tipped to return to the side in place of Tyler Roberts.

The former Swansea ace has the best minutes-per-goal involvement ratio of any Leeds player away from home in the Championship this season (150).

Bielsa has showed faith in Patrick Bamford throughout the season and the striker is in good form thanks to four goals in his last six matches.

Swansea City possible starting lineup: Woodman; Cabango, Guehi, De Hoorn; Roberts, Fulton, Grimes, Bidwell; Gallagher; Ayew, Brewster

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


We say: Swansea City 1-1 Leeds United

Both teams have won back-to-back matches and have a clear target in mind heading into the final four rounds of fixtures. Leeds have not beat Swansea away from home since 1964 and we can see that run continuing this weekend.


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POLL
Who will win Sunday's Championship clash between Swansea City and Leeds United?
Swansea City 23%
Draw 17%
Leeds United 60%
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