Championship news: Leeds Utd vs Preston North End – Five key battles and score prediction
Another dreaded early kick-off awaits Elland Road as Preston North End visit West Yorkshire to take on Championship league leaders Leeds United.
A topsy-turvy week saw a change in fortunes for the Whites, with Daniel Farke’s side moving from third place to pole position thanks to midweek results.
In the reverse fixture, back in December, a last-minute own goal gifted Leeds a point in a 1-1 draw.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Samuel Leasley considers five key battles to anticipate in this crucial fixture and offers a score prediction.
Daniel Farke vs Paul Heckingbottom
Despite being on the receiving end of some horrifically poor decisions by the linesman, Farke will have been pleased to see his side get an important three points against Middlesbrough.
Uncharacteristically, Leeds had less possession and far fewer shots than their opponents but nevertheless ground out a deserved victory.
Worryingly, Dan James appeared to suffer a hamstring injury and is now a doubt for Saturday’s fixture.
Farke will be hoping to banish the early kick-off woes that have haunted his side this season, with only two wins coming before 3pm.
Former Leeds and Sheffield United manager Heckingbottom, on the other hand, will be looking to deal a blow to the Whites by taking points away from Elland Road.
Preston have gone three games without a win following their departure from the FA Cup and were on the receiving end of a 94th-minute equaliser in midweek against Cardiff City.
They currently sit seven points above the relegation places and look to be out of danger, but it won't be over for Preston until they are mathematically out of the battle.
After picking up just two league wins this calendar year, Heckingbottom is also under pressure to deliver a strong end to the season and prove he is still the man for the job.
READ MORE: Championship betting tips: Sunderland to dominate Swans, Sheffield Utd to bounce back at Plymouth
Joe Rodon vs Milutin Osmajic
After conceding five goals in three games, Rodon was part of a strong Leeds defence that nullified a wasteful Middlesbrough attack and secured a clean sheet in midweek.
Rodon has been ever-present in the Leeds starting line-up this season and was recently reunited with international teammate Ethan Ampadu following Pascal Struijk’s injury.
The Welshman has played an integral role in Leeds accumulating 22 clean sheets in the league so far.
Moreover, in a side that typically dominates possession, Rodon has the highest passing accuracy of any player in the Championship at 92%.
Following a spell without scoring, Osmajic was back amongst the goals with a low drive against Cardiff.
The former Cadiz man is Preston’s second-top scorer this season with eight goals, sitting two strikes behind Emil Riis.
All of Osmajic’s goals have come via his right foot and the Leeds defence must look to shut down any opportunities for such shots.
The striker’s goals have also come from only 16 shots on target, making him the most efficient finisher in the Preston squad.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Championship news: Chaotic Yorkshire Derby win sends Leeds Utd top of the league
Brenden Aaronson vs Ben Whiteman
If James is absent for this fixture, it is likely that Aaronson will retain his place while Wilfried Gnonto replaces the Welshman out wide.
Although Aaronson has scored the third-most goals for the Whites this season with nine, his creativity has been questioned at times as he only has two assists to his name.
Of the nine goals Aaronson has scored, all have come within the 18-yard box, with the American typically picking up the scraps of defensive errors.
It could also be argued that Aaronson’s two assists don’t reflect his overall creativity as the attacking midfielder has fashioned 63 chances in the Championship this season.
One man who will be looking to shut down the Leeds attack through the centre of the pitch is Ben Whiteman.
Whiteman was lucky not to see red in the reverse fixture at Deepdale, receiving only a yellow card for a reckless challenge on the edge of the penalty area.
To be fair, discipline has been a regular issue for the midfielder of late, with 10 bookings in only 22 starts.
He has, however, accumulated 19 tackles and 18 interceptions in his limited playing time.
Manor Solomon vs Kaine Kesler-Hayden
Someone who was robbed of an extra assist on Tuesday night, having also assisted the game’s only goal, was Manor Solomon.
The Israeli’s low cross was converted by James in the second minute and the winger continued to be a threat throughout the night, with only a disgraceful decision preventing a second assist.
The assist he officially delivered was his first goal contribution since February 11, when he picked up a goal and an assist at Watford.
He is also a regular target for opposition full-backs as he has won 39 fouls in 24 starts.
On the other side of the park, likely in a regressed role should Preston choose to sit deep, will be Kesler-Hayden.
The right wing-back scored his first goal of the season against Stoke last weekend, taking his total contributions in the Championship to four.
Kesler-Hayden, much like Solomon, has been a regular target for opponents, having won the most fouls in the Preston squad with 67.
The wing-back has also provided strong defensive numbers, with 19 interceptions and 37 tackles.
Jayden Bogle vs Robbie Brady
A player who has been a quieter version of himself in the last few weeks is Jayden Bogle.
That being said, Bogle was fairly solid in defence in midweek, with the majority of Middlesbrough’s chances being created on the opposite flank.
The right-back has accumulated the most tackles of any Leeds player with 57 alongside making 31 interceptions.
Bogle is also regularly in conversation with the referee, winning 53 fouls whilst giving away 52.
As Bogle looks to push himself forward on the overlap, the man covering defensively will be Robbie Brady.
The Irish international has won 22 tackles and made 18 interceptions in only 12 starts this season whilst operating as a left wing-back.
He has two assists to his name, with his most recent contribution coming in a crucial win over Portsmouth in March.
In addition, Brady has created 24 chances and made 18 successful crosses this season.
Summary
On paper, Leeds should win this game, although the 12:30 kick-off time potentially puts a spanner in the works.
Preston will likely settle for a point and could look to frustrate the hosts by sitting deep behind the ball.
If Leeds show the resilience they demonstrated in midweek, they should prevail, but the Championship promotion race is bound to take some more turns before its conclusion.
Sam Leasley’s score prediction: Leeds United 2-0 Preston North End
Elland Road Ramble – Ellis’ score prediction: Leeds United 4-0 Preston North End
MORE FROM SAMUEL LEASLEY: Wrestling news: The top 10 heel turns in WWE history
