Leeds United will travel to Oakwell Stadium to take on Barnsley and will hope to continue their stunning form which has moved them up to third in the league. The Whites, after a stuttering start under Garry Monk, are the in-form team in the Championship having won five out of their last six games in all competitions.
Promotion will be the ultimate goal for the team this season. Keeping in mind the way they are playing, automatic promotion to is a very realistic target. They will have to maintain their consistency though as the top two arguably have better squads than Monk.
Barnsley too were in pretty good form which had resulted in them making the top half of the table. However, two losses in the last two games in all competitions mean they are in the worst possible shape to take on an in-form Leeds side.
When the two sides faced off in the reverse fixture, goals from Kyle Bartley and Pablo Hernandez on the either side of half-time ensured they picked up the three points, although an own-goal from Charlie Taylor made things a bit uneasy towards the end.
Leeds are the overwhelming favourites for the clash and here’s how the team is expected to look like when they take on the Tykes.
Predicted Leeds United Lineup
Monk has a minor headache as Pontus Jansson is suspended for the game. Liam Cooper is also a doubt and if he makes it back, he could partner Kyle Bartley at the heart of the defence. If he doesn’t, expect Luke Ayling to once again fill in as a centre-back. Gaetano Berardi and Lewie Coyle are expected to start as the two full-backs as Charlie Taylor is still out injured. Robert Green is expected to start under the bar.
In the midfield, the duo of Liam Bridcutt and Eunan O’Kane could play as the double pivot in front of the defence. Alex Mowatt was impressive in the cup game against Cambridge and came on late against Derby, but we expect Pablo Hernandez to once again play as the number 10. The crafty Spaniard has contributed three goals and four assists and will be expected to trouble the Barnsley defence with his creativity.
Stuart Dallas and Kemar Roofe could play the wide roles in the team and stretch the opposition defence. There is a lot of speculation surrounding striker Chris Wood and the travelling fans will hope he shuns all that and puts in an impressive performance in front of goal.
