Leeds United are travelling to St. Andrew’s Stadium to face Birmingham City for their last match of the year. Another win in this fixture will see the side replicate a record that was last achieved 30 years ago – 5 consecutive wins in the league.
Thomas Christiansen’s men are yet to lose in the month of December with a run of impressive displays. They are inching closer to the automatic promotion spot but still have a long way to go with 5 points behind Bristol City in the 5th spot of the EFL Championship. A win tomorrow will keep up this impressive momentum that the Whites have regained since a mid-campaign slump after a fantastic start to the 2017/18 season.
Pablo Hernandez and Kemar Roofe’s quick goals in succession lead the Peacocks to a Boxing Day win over Burton Albion.
Opposition side, Birmingham, on the other hand, are struggling at the bottom of the league table with just 17 points registered in 24 games. They failed to hold off Norwich City at home and allowed the visitors to run away with a 0-2 win on Tuesday.
Steve Cotterill’s men last won against Nottingham Forest on the 18th of November and are placed unfavourably in this fixture.
Christiansen is expected to field his men in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
Defence
Felix Wiedwald has so far registered 7 clean sheets in the season and should get the nod for this fixture.
The right-back spot might be filled with Luke Ayling with Gaetano Berardi on the left.
Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper are expected to take up the centre-back roles.
No changes are required in the defensive lineup with the back 4 put in consistent shifts.
Midfield
Kalvin Phillips is expected to make a return to the starting XI alongside Eunan O’Kane around the centre circle. The duo partnered well in the beginning of the season and can look to revive that same partnership in this matchup.
Samuel Saiz might also feature in this game after missing the last two games with an injury. He can take up the attacking midfield role behind the lone striker.
The left wing spot might be taken up by Ezgjan Alioski with Pablo Hernandez appearing from the right.
Pawel Cibicki can make a substitute appearance if either of the wide men fails to make a mark in the game.
Attack
Kemar Roofe is expected to be fielded in the lone striker role and resume his run of form in front of goal.
