The Peacocks resume their Premier League promotion ambitions on Friday with a visit to St. Andrew’s to square off with Birmingham City in their 35th Championship fixture of the season, and it’s another game that could play a crucial role in determining the club’s fate at the end of the season.
Leeds United are currently 4th on the log and can’t afford to miss out of the playoffs by dropping important points. Having been at the receiving end of a loss against the Blues earlier in the season at Elland Road, the trip to St Andrew’s presents them opportunity to seek revenge.
Gianfranco Zola’s men have won only 1 of their last 7 home league games and that weakness can be exploited by Garry Monk’s charges who have lost just thrice on the road within that time frame.
Getting the better of the mid-table team will boost Leeds’ chances of further establishing themselves as playoff candidates.
Leeds United predicted line-up to face Birmingham City:
Formation : 4-2-3-1
GK – Green
Set to make his 35th Championship appearance of the season and would look forward to keeping his 13th clean sheet against the Blues.
LB – Berardi
Ahead of Friday’s visit, Monk reacted to Taylor’s injury thus,
“Charlie Taylor has had more training and stepped it up, luckily for us he is naturally fit, so he will be in contention”
But Berardi would likely start, with the now fit Taylor likely to taste little action.
CB – Jansson
Made a last man tackle that ensured Sheffield Wednesday didn’t get back into the game last time out and is set to continue his splendid performances on Friday night in what would be his 26th league game of the campaign.
CB – Bartley
Continues to prove his quality with great games devoid of unnecessary and needless bookings and is surely set to make his 34th appearance against the Blues.
RB – Ayling
The fullback put in a man-of-the-match performance last time out and can be very much expected to continue such displays on Friday night.
CM – O’Kane
The English defensive midfielder has been a regular pick of Monk’s to shield his defence and has been excellent at it. A most likely start for Friday’s game.
CM – Ronaldo Vieira
Deep midfield is a department Leeds have enough depth in (no pun intended), and the Brazilian has had to contend with Bridcutt and O’Kane for a starting berth. Could get a start ahead of the former on Friday.
AML – Roofe
Doukara wasn’t particularly impressive against Wednesday and could make way for the English winger in the starting lineup for Friday’s game.
AMC – Hernandez
Appears to have held down the attacking midfield spot behind the striker due to his set pieces expertise and overall quality. Things shouldn’t be any different for the Spaniard on Friday.
AMR – Sacko
Set to make his 31st league appearance due to what he brings to the team and a permanent move appears very likely.
CF – Wood
Bagged his 20th league goal against Sheffield in what was his 30th start and can always be counted upon to help steer the team to victory.