Tag Archives: Whites

Whites to stun Saints

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There are five Capital One Cup fourth round games on Tuesday night with Reading versus Arsenal the one match chosen for TV coverage on SKY. Here we preview the other four games taking place across the country (match prices).

Leeds v Southampton

Leeds (6/4 to win) were impressive in despatching an in-form Everton at Elland Road in the last round however they have faltered since that night. Neil Warnock’s side have won only one of their last five Championship matches – though defeat to Birmingham last time out was their first loss in eight in all competitions.

The trio of Lee Peltier, Rodolph Austin and Michael Tonge all face fitness tests, while Leeds will be without Ryan Hall as he is ineligible having featured for Southend earlier in the competition.

Southampton (7/4 to win, draw 12/5) are making the trip to West Yorkshire having lost to Tottenham at the weekend, which was their seventh defeat in nine games. The Saints will take heart from the fact they controlled the second half and should have really taken something from the game.

Forward Tadanari Lee is in contention to play at Elland Road having recovered from an elbow injury, while Frazer Richardson is back and could play against his former club. The Saints have lost all four games on the road and if Leeds can reproduce the form at Elland Road they showed against Everton it could be a long evening for Southampton.

Sunderland v Middlesbrough

It’s a north-east derby at the Stadium of Light and Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill seems set to make changes following their goalless draw with Stoke at the weekend. The Black Cats have struggled for goals so far this season, with six draws and only one win from their opening eight league games.

Middlesbrough will be full of confidence as they have won four games on the trot and climbed the Championship table. Merouane Zemmama is back from a hamstring problem but Jonathan Woodgate and Marvin Emnes face late fitness tests.

Boro have won their first three rounds away from the Riverside and could have enough to defeat a depleted Sunderland in a feisty derby encounter (Sunderland 4/6, draw 13/5, Middlesbrough 9/2).

Swindon v Aston Villa

Swindon could fancy their chances of shocking Premier League side Aston Villa, who have only won one league game so far this season and scored only seven goals. Paolo Di Canio’s side beat second-placed Stevenage 4-0 away at the weekend, ending their opponent’s 18-match unbeaten home run. Swindon can county Premier League Stoke and two Championship sides among their Capital One Cup victims already this season.

Villa did shock Manchester City in the last round of the Capital One Cup but confidence remains low around the club and, in total, its only two wins in 25 league games. Swindon have scored at least three goals in all their League Cup ties this season and, given their opponents leaky defence, Di Canio will fancy goals at the County Ground (Swindon 12/5, draw 12/5, Villa 11/10).

Wigan v Bradford

Wigan (2/7 to win) got their first home win of the season against West Ham at the weekend and Roberto Martinez will hope that confidence boost will see them through against Bradford. The League Two side are the lowest-ranked club left in the cup and went down 1-0 to Burton Albion on Saturday.

Martinez is likely to turn to Mauro Boselli, who has got three Capital One Cup games this season and bagged a hat-trick in the reserves. Bradford’s loss at Burton was their fourth away defeat, and it would require a huge effort to pull off a shock at the DW Stadium.

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Wolves waiting to wound Whites

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Tuesday night will see two of last year’s Premier League teams, Wolves and Bolton, go head-to-head in the Championship at Molineux (Wolves 6/5 draw 12/5 Bolton 12/5 – Match Betting).

Bolton, who are still looking for a new manager since the sacking of Owen Coyle, look like they are close to bringing in top target, Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman, after the Eagles finally accepted an official approach from the Lancashire outfit.

The Trotters were fortunate to pick up all three points over the weekend against Bristol City, winning 3-2 at the Reebok Stadium having gone two goals behind early on.

Caretaker boss Jimmy Phillips has no new injury concerns for the trip to Molineux, as the Whites go in search of only their second away win of the season.

As for Wolves (10/1 Championship outright) they will have a big boost with the return of skipper Karl Henry from suspension, as he missed the club’s 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town over the weekend.

Manager Stale Solbakken is still struggling with a host of injuries, as the likes of Stephen Hunt, Jamie O’Hara and George Elokobi are still sidelined.

However, Wolves, who have only lost one game in their five outings on home soil this term, look like they will just be able to edge out the managerless Whites at Molineux.

Tuesday will also see Championship leaders Leicester City take on Brighton at the King Power Stadium, in a clash between two attacking sides (Leicester 5/6, draw 5/2, Brighton 10/3 – Match Betting).

Foxes boss Nigel Pearson was under pressure for his job only a few weeks ago but now the manager sees his side sitting pretty at the top of the table.

Striker Jamie Vardy must undergo a late fitness test and he will be a real threat for the Seagulls if he can shake of illness to play.

Brighton have fitness issues of their own with Andrea Orlandi out with a calf problem and forward Will Hoskins still not ready for action following his broken foot.

Manager Gus Poyet will have been disappointed with his side’s 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough on the weekend and the Uruguayan might well be on the losing side against a Leicester (7/2 Championship outright) outfit who have won every game at home in the Championship this term.

Promotion-chasers Blackpool are also in action on Tuesday night as they prepare to host Nottingham Forest at Bloomfield Road (Blackpool 11/10 draw 12/5 Forest 12/5 – Match Betting).

Having made a storming start to the Championship season the Seasiders have been tumbling down the table with four defeats in their last five games.

To make matters worse manager Ian Holloway has been linked with the vacant job at Blackburn Rovers, which can only unsettle everyone concerned with the Tangerines.

As Blackpool have been struggling, Forest have seen a change in their fortunes and wins over Peterborough and Cardiff in their last two outings will have pleased manager Sean O’Driscoll.

This looks set to be another close contest but on their current form it wouldn’t be surprising to see Forest pull off another victory as they continue their push for a return to the English top flight.

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Battle of the Whites

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Tuesday night will see another exciting round of action in the Championship and Bolton Wanderers will be hoping they can come on top in the ‘Roses’ clash when they face Leeds United at the Reebok Stadium (Bolton Evs draw 12/5 Leeds 11/4 – Match Betting).

It has not been an easy start to life in the Championship for under-pressure manager Owen Coyle and his players have found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreline in a number of tight encounters.

Bolton – 18th place in the table – suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace last weekend and will be desperate to bag the three points against a Leeds side who will head to the Reebok Stadium full of confidence.

The West Yorkshire outfit beat Nottingham Forest and Bristol City in the Championship and saw off Everton in the Capital One Cup, in what was a successful week for manager Neil Warnock and his men.

Striker El-Hadji Diouf has been a revelation since making the move to Elland Road and he will certainly be a threat once again.

Bolton have plenty of talent in their ranks and between two pretty evenly matched sides this Lancashire-Yorkshire derby might well finish with the points shared.

Cardiff City have started to emerge as a strong force in the push for promotion and they will be looking to keep up their winning momentum when they face Birmingham City (Cardiff 10/11 draw 5/2 Birmingham 3/1 – Match Betting).

With four wins in their last five game in the Championship, the Bluebirds are looking strong under manager Malky Mackay.

Cardiff have won all four of their home games this season and will once again be formidable opposition against a Blues outfit struggling to live up to expectations this season.

Injuries have plagued manager Lee Clark and his squad at St Andrew’s but they managed to battle for a 1-0 draw against Brighton on the South Coast.

They will need a similarly gritty performance to get a result in the Welsh capital but the Bluebirds should have enough quality to get the three points.

In another standout game on Tuesday, Hull City will be looking to bounce back from their surprising defeat to Peterborough United when they face Blackpool at the KC Stadium (Hull 11/8 draw 12/5 Blackpool 15/8 – Match Betting).

The Tigers looked in fine form but have come unstuck in their last two outings, with Leicester City and strugglers Peterborough getting the better of manager Steve Bruce and his men.

Blackpool have also gone off the boil in their last two outings with heavy defeats at the hands of Huddersfield Town and Cardiff.

This game will really be about which side can put their recent disappointments behind them when they line-up on Tuesday night.

Both teams have match winners but the Tangerines, with the likes of Tom Ince and Gary Taylor-Fletcher, could edge this one over the Tigers.

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Whites to stall Royals’ charge

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The Easter weekend in the Championship starts on Good Friday with games that involve teams battling it out for automatic promotion, play-off places and to avoid relegation. We take a look at two massive fixtures that will have an impact on who will be in the Premier League next season.

READING V LEEDS (2pm)

A monumental game is in store at the Madejski Stadium as Brian McDermott’s Royals can go top of the Championship table above Southampton and move seven points clear of third-placed West Ham with a win.

Reading are in impressive form with 11 wins in 13 outings going into this game, while they have won six consecutive matches in front of their own fans ahead of the Whites’ clash.

The Royals are also looking for their first-ever double over Leeds having won 1-0 at Elland Road earlier in the season.

McDermott, who celebrates his 51st birthday on Sunday, will hope to have Jem Karacan, Jimmy Kebe and Jay Tabb fit after they picked up knocks in the 4-2 win at West Ham last week.

Leeds will arrive in Berkshire in confident mood, despite looking for just a fourth win in 12 matches after last week’s 2-0 home defeat against Watford, because they have not lost or conceded away from home under Neil Warnock as they search for a third straight away win.

Warnock has problems in defence so Zac Thompson and Leigh Bromby could return for suspended duo Darren O’Dea and Paul Connolly.

It looks favourable for Reading but Leeds are doing well on the road and we would not be surprised if they snatched a share of the spoils as they look to make up the six-point gap between themselves and the play-off places.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 11/4
Value Bet: 2-2 Draw Correct Score @ 14/1

BARNSLEY v WEST HAM (5.15pm)

The late game in the Championship sees West Ham make the trip to South Yorkshire desperate for maximum points to keep alive their bid to secure automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Depending on the outcome of the earlier game between Reading and Leeds, Sam Allardyce’s side could be seven points adrift of the Royals should they come out on top at the Madejski Stadium.

Even if Leeds do the Hammers a favour, they are still four points behind before a ball is kicked so they will not want to pass up this chance of three points at Oakwell.

West Ham have only won one game in seven, but have one defeat in 12, which tells you they are drawing far too many matches at the business end of the season.

However, they enjoy a good record against the Tykes with five successive wins in league and cup – including this season’s 1-0 victory at Upton Park – going into this clash.

Papa Bouba Diop, who scored the winner in December, is fit after his recovery from a hamstring injury, while defenders Winston Reid and Guy Demel are also available.

Keith Hill’s Barnsley are embroiled in a nightmare run at the moment with nine defeats and just two wins from the last 12 which leaves them nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Hill has no new injury or suspension problems, but is still without seven first-team players going into the encounter.

West Ham’s need for points is greater than Barnsley’s at this moment in time and anything less than a win for the Londoners could be catastrophic for their promotion hopes.

Prediction: West Ham Away 90 Minutes @ 4/5
Value Bet: Nolan 1st Goal West Ham 2-0 Scorecast @ 30/1

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Whites set for emotional clash

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It’s set to be an emotionally-charged day at Elland Road on Saturday as Leeds United get ready to take on rivals Millwall in another exciting weekend of Championship football (Leeds Utd Evs, draw 12/5, Millwall 11/4 in the Match Betting).

The clash in West Yorkshire will be the first home game for the Whites since the sad passing of former player Gary Speed.

Tributes have been flooding in for the star who helped Leeds win the First Division title in 1992 and there will be plenty more for the midfielder on Saturday.

The Whites head into the game on the back of a 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in midweek and there is a big question regarding what formation manager Simon Grayson will go for.

With Jonny Howson being given a more attacking role against Forest in a 4-5-1 formation, there have been calls for Grayson to continue with Luciano Becchio up front and have the likes of Robert Snodgrass and Howson in support.

Leeds were on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline against Barnsley in their last home outing and Millwall will be looking to cause a similar upset on Saturday.

The Lions have not been able to continue their decent form from last season and the London outfit sit in 17th place in the Championship table.

Millwall have been a bogey team for Leeds in the past, having won four of their last five regular league games against the Yorkshire outfit.

However, backed by a packed out Elland Road and with plenty of confidence from that win over Forest, Leeds should come away with the three points.

In another standout fixture on Saturday, Hull City host Leicester City at the KC Stadium in what will be a return to Humberside for Nigel Pearson (Match Betting – Hull 13/8, draw 23/10, Leicester 13/8).

The Foxes boss returned to the East Midlands after making a decent start to the season with the Tigers, who currently sit just two points off the play-off places.

Leicester have looked strong since Pearson’s comeback and go into this one on the back of a 2-0 victory over Blackpool with an impressive performance.

As for Hull they will be looking to avoid a three-game losing run, following defeats to Southampton and Burnley.

Leicester have seemed to have turned a corner under Pearson and considering the strength of their squad, they should edge this clash.

West Ham are unbeaten in their last seven games and it’s up to Burnley to put an end to their run at Upton Park on Saturday (West Ham 4/7, draw 14/5, Burnley 5/1 in the Match Betting).

Under manager Sam Allardyce, the Hammers are starting to look a formidable force with the likes of Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole in fine form.

Burnley look like they have been able to get their act together in recent weeks with decent wins over Ipswich and Hull, scoring seven goals in the process.

However, Upton Park is a tough place for any side in the Championship to get a result and, despite their recent improvement, Burnley will be lucky if they can get a point in the capital.

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Whites target Bluebirds revenge

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Sunday’s only clash in the npower Championship throws up what will undoubtedly be a fiery encounter between Leeds United and Cardiff City at Elland Road (Leeds 11/10, draw 9/4, Cardiff 2/1).

There is certainly no love lost between these two rivals and Leeds will be looking for payback after they suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Bluebirds on home soil last season.

The Whites have come on a long way since that sorry night at Elland Road and now look to have established themselves as one of the tougher sides to beat in the Championship.

Leeds failed to spend big money in the summer transfer window unlike other teams, with the likes of West Ham United and Leicester City splashing the cash.

However players have come to the fore and one man in particular will be looking to prove a point on Sunday.

Scotland international Ross McCormack (5/1 first goalscorer) was seen as surplus to requirements by Cardiff before he was snapped up by Leeds, and since making a slow start to life in West Yorkshire, has become the club’s top goalscorer this season.

The former Motherwell striker has been a threat throughout the Championship campaign so far and will be desperate to add to his tally against the Bluebirds.

Other players who have pushed on for the Whites have come from the club’s academy as Tom Lees and Aidy White have become mainstays in the side under manager Simon Grayson this season.

Leeds go into this on the back of a defeat to Birmingham in midweek but there will still be plenty of confidence in the ranks.

However in Cardiff they come up against a side who have been a bogie team for the Whites over the years.

Leeds have not beaten the Welsh outfit since the 1984/1985 season and the Bluebirds go into this game in a tidy bit of form.

A City win on Sunday would give them three victories in just over week, after they picked up three points against Barnsley last weekend and beat Burnley in midweek to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

Cardiff may be without their own Scottish striker Kenny Miller, who required 20 stitches after his collision with his own team-mate Ben Turner.

However manager Malky Mackay still has the services of Welsh striker Rob Earnshaw (6/1 first goalscorer), who will be a player that Leeds need to be wary of on Sunday.

This is a close game to call considering the form of both teams and the high quality of personnel on both sides.

However Leeds have only lost one game at home in the Championship so far and will be fired up for this one with that 4-0 defeat in the back of their minds.

The Whites should scrape this one but expect plenty of goals between these two attacking sides, as Leeds hope to end their long wait for a win over the battling Bluebirds.

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Whites set for Rovers return

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Leeds United boss Simon GraysonHaving beaten Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium already this season, Leeds United will be full of confidence going into Friday night’s Yorkshire derby in the Championship (Doncaster 2/1, draw 9/4, Leeds 11/8).

It was two goals from Honduran international Ramon Nunez which gave the Whites the 2-1 win in the Carling Cup over Rovers back in August and boss Simon Grayson will be looking for a similar result in the league.

Leeds regularly find themselves behind in matches and it was James Hayter (7/1 first goalscorer) who gave Doncaster the lead after just two minutes in the League Cup clash.

But as regularly as they find themselves behind, the Whites usually get themselves back into games and it was two fine strikes from Nunez that put Leeds through to the next round of the competition, where they were humbled by old rivals Manchester United at Elland Road.

After a slow start to the season, Grayson’s side have started to climb their way up the Championship table and are unbeaten in their last four outings.

What was a rarity in their last game was the fact Leeds were able to keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory over Portsmouth at Elland Road.

A centre-back partnership of Darren O’Dea and Tom Lees, who has put pen to paper on a new long-term deal with the club, looked like a strong combination and could leave Australia international Patrick Kisnorbo on the bench for the short trip to Doncaster.

Leeds also have in their ranks the league’s joint highest goalscorer in Ross McCormack (11/2 first goalscorer) and he will once again be a threat, especially if he gets partnered by Argentine striker Luciano Becchio, who is closing in on a place in the starting line-up after a long spell on the injury list.

As for Doncaster, they have been buoyed since the arrival of Dean Saunders as manager – going unbeaten in their last three outings – with two wins against Crystal Palace and Peterborough.

Rovers have some new-found confidence under the former Wales international and would love to end their 60-year spell without a win against Leeds in the league.

Doncaster will be boosted by the arrival of England one-cap-wonder Chris Kirkland, who could make his debut in goal following a loan move from Wigan Athletic this week.

Leeds (6/1 Championship promotion) are the highest of the four clubs left in the Championship without an away win and should have ended that run, after they found themselves 2-0 up against Brighton in their last game on the road, only to draw the contest 3-3.

The fact the Whites have been less than convincing away from home will give hope to Doncaster, who will look to cause the new-look Leeds defence problems.

However, Leeds looked much stronger at the back against Pompey and, with the attacking threats of Robert Snodgrass, Becchio and McCormack in their ranks, they should make the trip back across Yorkshire with all three points.

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Hammers out to slam Whites

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Sunday throws up a Championship clash that years ago would have been a regular meeting in the Premier League, as West Ham United host Leeds United at Upton Park in a mouth-watering fixture (West Ham 7/10, draw 13/5, Leeds United 4/1 Match Prices).

These two sides are arguably two of the biggest and best supported clubs in the second tier of English football this season and there will be an electric atmosphere when these two giants meet.

West Ham found out that getting out of the Championship may be no easy task after they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Cardiff City in their opening game of the season.

However, manager Sam Allardyce and his players have responded well from their disappointing loss to the Bluebirds and secured victories over Watford and Doncaster Rovers in their last two outings.

The Hammers could be boosted by striker John Carew, who is set to make his debut for the club following his summer move to Upton Park.

Carew (11/2 First Goalscorer) will add some extra power up front and with his physical presence he is bound to cause a less than reliable Leeds defence problems on Sunday.

As for the Whites they have come through a torrid spell at the start of the season where they lost their opening two games to Southampton and Middlesbrough, before securing a 4-1 win in their last outing against Yorkshire rivals Hull City.

A lack of movement in the summer transfer window has been a major concern for Leeds fans with 34-year-old midfielder Michael Brown being the only permanent outfield signing since the end of the last campaign in which the West Yorkshire outfit finished seventh in the table.

Many believe Leeds over-achieved in the Championship last season and their early form this term would back that claim, as the Whites have struggled with key strikers Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma both out with long-term injuries.

However there were plenty of positives to take out of the win over Hull, with Adam Clayton looking strong in midfield alongside the Honduran international Ramon Nunez (5/2 Anytime Scorer), who has scored three goals already this season.

Loan-man Andy Keogh showed promise in his first game for Leeds on his return, having made one appearance before being sold by former manager Kevin Blackwell in 2005.

This should be an exciting game between two very attacking sides, who do have frailties at the back so expect plenty of action on goal.

With the Hammers at home they should come out on top in this one but it would not be surprising to see Leeds come away from the capital with a draw if the likes of Max Gradel and Robert Snodgrass enjoy time and space on the ball at Upton Park.

In Sunday’s other game, Middlesbrough host Birmingham City at the Riverside, with the home side hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season (Middlesbrough 21/20, draw 12/5, Birmingham City 13/5 Match Prices).

Seven points from nine spells out a strong start by the former Premier League outfit who underachieved last term.

As for the Blues they have won one and lost one in their opening two games of the Championship with new manager Chris Hughton looking to take his side back to the top flight as quickly as possible.

This will be another close encounter but Birmingham might just bag all three points in this one with the extra quality they possess in their squad.

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Whites v Reds in promotion clash

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We are really getting into the business end of the season in the Championship, with points vital for teams at both ends of the table.

Two clubs that are desperate to get back to the Premier League are Leeds United and Nottingham Forest and the two sides meet in the early kick-off at Elland Road on Saturday (Leeds 6/5, draw 11/5, Forest 11/5).

The Whites managed to pick up a point at the City Ground in just their second game of the campaign after winning automatic promotion from League One last season. Leeds were lucky to draw against Forest who dominated much of the game.

However, the West Yorkshire side have surprised many teams in their first season back in the Championship and find themselves in fifth place in the table, just above Forest.

Tottenham Hotspur loan man Jake Livermore could make his first appearance for the Whites as manager Simon Grayson has looked to bolster his option in the middle of the park, with Aston Villa’s Barry Bannan also in on a loan deal.

Forest have failed to win in their last seven outings in the Championship and should be battling with QPR and Norwich for the automatic places. Now Bill Davies‘ side are struggling to keep their place in the playoffs with Reading and Burnley hot on their heels.

Saturday’s game at Elland Road will be a tight contest with both teams desperate to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Leeds have not been beaten at home since October and should just edge this one in front of a packed Elland Road.

Promotion chasing Norwich City take on Scunthorpe United at Carrow Road, as the Canaries look to strengthen their hold on second place in the Championship (Norwich 1/5, draw 7/2, Scunthorpe 8/1).

Norwich continue to be very difficult to beat as they have not tasted defeat in their last eight games.

The Irons on the other hand are fighting for their lives in the relegation zone with five points between themselves and safety.

Scunthorpe have appointed Alan Knill as their new boss ahead of the away trip to Norwich and he will have to settle in fast to his new club as they are desperate for points. The manager factor may give the United players a boost but it’s hard to see them getting anything out of the game at Carrow Road.

Preston are also fighting for their lives as they sit rock bottom of the Championship and they will have to raise their game when they take on Swansea at Deepdale on Saturday (Preston 13/5, draw 23/10, Swansea Evs).

North End currently sit eight points off safety with a game in hand and manager Phil Brown is running out of time if he wants his side to avoid the drop.

Swansea have been outstanding this season and they will be full of confidence after their 3-2 victory over Forest in their last outing. The Welsh club have a great opportunity to earn promotion to the Premier League this season and it’s unlikely that Preston will get in their way.

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