Championship | Gameweek 23

Dec 26, 2024 at 8pm UK

Britannia Stadium

Stoke vs Leeds

Match preview

Stoke will be bitterly disappointed not to have beaten Sheffield Wednesday, considering they were reduced to 10 men in the 41st minute with the score 0-0, but somehow ran out 2-0 winners.

Head coach Narcis Pelach has come under pressure in recent weeks, but he insisted that his side's first-half showing was good, saying: "In the first half I think we were more pragmatic, aggressive, won many more duels and second balls which is what I demand from the team. The first 45 minutes are good."

Pelach's side are just four points clear of 22nd-placed Cardiff City, who occupy the final relegation spot, and have played an extra game.

The Potters' form is worrying as they have lost four of their last five games, are winless in their last eight and have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five games.

Stoke are at least difficult to beat at home, having lost just once in their last eight games at the bet365 Stadium, although they have drawn five times in that period.

Visitors Leeds created five clear-cut chances and almost three xGs last time out, while Oxford United were limited to one clear-cut chance and zero shots on target.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke hinted that the size of the margin of victory could prove important in the long run, telling reporters: "The most important thing for us was to go back to the dressing room with a clean sheet and three important points. It was good for the goal difference. The performance was excellent and creating the chances against such a deep block.

Leeds have the best goal difference in the second tier, having scored 41 goals and conceded just 15 - the best attacking and third best defensive record in the division.

Farke's side have been in excellent form, winning nine of their last 13 games and keeping seven clean sheets.

However, the Peacocks are somewhat vulnerable away from home, having been held to a stalemate on four occasions in their last seven games and losing twice on the road.

Recent Performance

Stoke City Championship form:DLLLDL

Leeds United Championship form:WLWWDW

Team News

The hosts will be without defensive midfielder Ben Pearson, so expect Tatsuki Seko and Wouter Burger to start in a double pivot.

Centre-backs Ben Wilmot, Michael Rose and Ben Gibson could start in a back three in front of goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.

Striker Thomas Cannon is likely to be joined in attack by Andrew Moran and Lewis Koumas.

Leeds, meanwhile, will have to cope with the absence of defenders Junior Firpo and Maximilian Wober, who are not expected to return until early January due to muscle injuries.

The visitors could field a back line of Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Sam Byram.

Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka could start in midfield with Ilia Gruev ruled out until the middle of next month, while Dan James and Manor Solomon are likely to start out wide with Joe Gelhardt unavailable.

Possible starting lineup

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Wilmot, Rose, Gibson; Tchamadeu, Seko, Burger, Bocat; Moran, Koumas; Cannon

Leeds United possible starting lineup:

Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Byram; Tanaka, Rothwell; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe