On Boxing Day, Leeds United travel to Ryan Lowe’s Preston North End at Deepdale in the Championship, and here are five things to look out for.
Increase the strain on Portman Road?
If Leeds United fail to capitalise on Saturday’s devastation of Ipswich Town with a win against Preston North End today, it will be for naught. A win at Deepdale, United‘s first visit since October 2019, would close the distance to the Tractor Boys to four points.
Leeds must load the pressure on Ipswich and get inside their heads before the evening kick-off against league leaders Leicester City. Since the first full weekend of the season, the difference between Leeds and automatic promotion has been four points.
Given that Preston have only won three of their previous sixteen games and that Rotherham United are the only team with fewer points since September 23, Daniel Farke may be tempted to shuffle his pack at Deepdale. No match in this level is simple, but a trip to West Bromwich Albion seems to be the toughest of the week’s tests.
Could captain Liam Cooper fill in for Pascal Struijk or Joe Rodon during a game? Farke has previously warned of the hosts’ directness, and the skipper would be well equipped to meet that task.
Between his first and second Leeds appearances, Djed Spence was out for three months. The full-back’s knee ailment pushed him back, and after three consecutive starts, Farke may want to safeguard him in Lancashire.
The manager has been eager to take the temporary left-back off early in each of the last three games, emphasising the significance of providing Junior Firpo playing time on Saturday. The returning Dominican might be called up to keep Spence fresh for Friday night’s game.
Second Gruev start?
We’ve been waiting so long that it almost seems reckless to forecast a break for Ethan Ampadu. The Wales international has played every minute of the season so far, and Farke appears to be unable to do without him, even in the final stages of a comfortable victory.
Ilia Gruev‘s complete debut at Stoke City did not inspire much confidence, but Farke cannot afford to ignore him for the rest of the season. Could today be the day Glen Kamara takes a break for The Hawthorns?
Wilfried Gnonto‘s cameos from the bench have gently built momentum for him, and he could reach a tipping point during this festive period. Daniel James was substituted shortly after the hour mark on Saturday and might be the one to give the Italian another chance off the right wing.
Crysencio Summervillle appears unbeatable at the moment, although Georginio Rutter‘s creativity has been crucial, and Joel Piroe demonstrated some resiliency on Saturday with an outstanding goal.
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