Championship news: Leeds Utd vs Swansea City – Five key battles and score prediction
Following the conclusion of the final international break of the Championship season, we find ourselves jumping right back into the thick of the action.
Table-topping Leeds United are looking to regain their previous blistering form following a period of poor results, while Swansea City will want to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the dangers of the relegation battle.
Sports News Blitz writer Samuel Leasley considers five key battles to anticipate at Elland Road and offers a score prediction.
Daniel Farke vs Alan Sheehan
Farke will have been pleased at the fighting spirit shown by Leeds to battle back from two goals down in salvaging a draw at QPR, but it was two points dropped nonetheless.
The manager's tactical tweak to bring on Wilfried Gnonto at number 10 proved to be the difference as Leeds looked far more dangerous thereafter and should have taken all three points in the end.
That said, Leeds remain top of the league and still have their destiny in their own hands with eight games to go.
They also came through the international break without any big injuries to speak of and should have close to a full squad to pick from come Saturday.
On the other hand, following a period of uncertainty, calm appears to have returned to Swansea following caretaker manager Sheehan being given the role until the end of the season.
Since the departure of Luke Williams, Sheehan has picked up seven points in five games, most recently losing at home to promotion-chasing Burnley.
Sheehan has been joined by former Huddersfield manager Mark Fotheringham and former Wolves defender Richard Stearman in the coaching staff.
The Swans sit six points above the relegation zone and should have enough quality to steer away from danger, but any poor run of form could stick them right back in it.
READ MORE: Leeds Utd news: Daniel Farke’s dilemma – Should Junior Firpo stay or go?
Ao Tanaka vs Liam Cullen
One man who had a great international break was Leeds favourite Tanaka, who helped Japan become the first non-host nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup as they beat Bahrain 2-0.
Tanaka has been irreplaceable in the Leeds midfield this season, accumulating 47 successful tackles alongside 46 interceptions in 30 starts.
The Japanese international is also a referee’s favourite as he has been fouled 43 times while committing 40 himself.
Someone who will be looking to get the better of Tanaka on Saturday is Swansea attacking midfielder Cullen.
The Wales international is Swansea’s top scorer this season with 10 goals but is in the midst of a dry spell, having scored only two goals in his last 10 appearances.
Considering Swansea have scored more than one goal in a game just once so far this year, Sheehan will need to be more clinical in his finishing if his side are to bury their relegation fears.
Cullen will also need to watch the Welshman’s discipline as he has given away the third-most fouls at the club with 35, picking up seven bookings in the process.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Championship betting tips: Leeds to bounce back, Blackburn’s struggles to continue
Junior Firpo vs Ronald
Firpo played a crucial role in Leeds getting back into the game at Loftus Road a couple of weeks back and has been a standout performer during a rough patch of form for the Whites.
The Dominican Republic international is the top assisting defender in the Championship with nine assists, and he has also chipped in with crucial goals against the likes of West Brom and Sheffield United.
Similarly to Tanaka, Firpo appears to be in constant conversation with the referee as the left-back has committed 39 fouls while winning 37 himself.
A player who holds incredible talent on the wing yet does not have the goal-providing statistics to match is Ronald.
The Brazilian is a regular in the Swans’ starting line-up and consistently proves to be trouble for opposition full-backs, winning a staggering 90 fouls in 35 appearances.
Ronald is furthermore the club’s top assist-maker with six assists, but the winger has not registered a contribution since the beginning of January.
He has, however, been a defensive asset, winning the second-most tackles in the squad with 53.
READ NEXT: England news: What Thomas Tuchel’s first two games have told us about the squad
Joel Piroe vs Ben Cabango
Following an incredible run of goal-scoring form during February, Piroe has struggled in recent fixtures to make an impact, with the draw at QPR taking his scoreless streak to four games.
The Leeds wide men have been the ones to make the difference in recent weeks as Piroe has appeared frustrated at the lack of service.
Piroe remains atop the Leeds goal-scoring charts with 15 goals, but the Dutchman now trails Borja Sainz by two goals in the Championship charts.
After registering just 0.4 xG in his last two fixtures, Piroe will be looking to boost the Whites’ chances of automatic promotion by scoring against his former club.
The man who netted an unfortunate own goal in the reverse fixture between these two sides is club captain Cabango.
Cabango is the first name on the team sheet and the central defender has been a consistent performer in an inconsistent Swansea side this term.
The Welshman has made the third-most successful tackles of any player in the squad with 50 alongside making 28 interceptions.
Unfortunately, Cabango also sits top of the club’s charts for bookings, with eight cautions stemming from only 25 fouls made.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Chelsea’s relentless pursuit: Closing in on a sixth consecutive WSL title with the quadruple still in sight
Dan James vs Josh Tymon
James won the Championship Player of the Month award for February following four assists and three goals, and he most recently netted on the international stage against Kazakhstan.
The Welsh winger sits second in the Leeds scoring charts with 10 goals and is also joint-top of the assists chart with nine.
After three successive blanks, he will be looking to rediscover his scoring touch against a former side.
James is arguably the fastest player in the Championship and, alongside Jayden Bogle, he can prove an incredible handful for opposition full-backs if they fail to keep it tight or bring him down.
Up against James on Saturday will be Josh Tymon, another Swan with consistent performances that stand in contrast to the club's faltering form.
Tymon netted his first two goals for Swansea during February, including a crucial winner away at Bristol City.
Furthermore, the left-back only trails Ronald in the Swansea assist charts, with four to his name.
That is not to say that Tymon is weak defensively as he has also made the most interceptions of any player at the club with 50 alongside 25 successful tackles.
Summary
The last fixture between these two sides had tons of drama, an array of goals, and a last-minute winner.
Both sides will be looking for a quieter affair this time around, with Leeds desperate for a win to maintain their promotion push and Swansea seeking some stability.
Although it has all the makings of a tight affair, I feel the Leeds attack will prove too strong for Swansea yet again.
Score prediction: Leeds United 2-0 Swansea City
MORE FROM SAMUEL LEASLEY: Wrestling news: The top 10 heel turns in WWE history
