Leeds United will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the Championship by picking up three points when Swansea City visit Elland Road on Saturday.
The Welsh side are comfortably in mid-table with little to play for. They are 13 points away from the playoff places and 11 points above the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Leeds are tied on points at the summit with Sheffield United going into this weekend’s fixtures. The Blades face Coventry on Friday evening while third-placed Burnley are just two points further back.
LEEDS UNITED VS SWANSEA PREVIEW
Leeds will be hoping to get back on track having dropped points against QPR before the international break. It could have been worse though as the Whites fought back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw.
Swansea, meanwhile, go into this game off the back of a home defeat to Burnley. Goals from Josh Brownhill and Jaidon Anthon put the game to bed inside 25 minutes and the Swans will be hoping to put in a better showing here.
It will be tough against a team that has not lost at home in the Championship since mid-September. Swansea lost their last away game at Watford and come into this game in mixed form. They have won two and lost two of their last five. They will be hoping to avoid their third straight defeat on Saturday.
Leeds’ form has been rather mixed too. They have only won one in four while defeat at Portsmouth showcased their vulnerabilities. They will want to get back on track in front of their passionate home support.
The reverse fixture was a seven-goal thriller that saw Leeds win 4-3 at the Swansea.com Stadium. It took an injury-time winner from Wilfried Gnonto to secure all three points in a match that could have gone either way.
Gnonto is unlikely to feature for Leeds on Saturday, while Patrick Bamford will be out too. Captain Ethan Ampadu is unlikely to play either, but he is making progress in his recovery from injury.
Defender Hannes Delcroix could return for Swansea, having been ineligible to face Burnley.
Centre-back Harry Darling is likely to be out with the hip injury he sustained earlier in the month against Middlesbrough.
Both Myles Peart-Harris and Kristian Pedersen won’t feature. Defender Max Wober could return but this game will probably come too early.
LEEDS UNITED VS SWANSEA PREDICTIONS
Leeds United Win
Top of the table, unbeaten at home since September, a real need for points, and a rapt home crowd. All of these things point to a comfortable Leeds United win.
Draw
Leeds have drawn two of their last four games, including 1-1 against West Brom at Elland Road at the beginning of March. Swansea scraped out a goalless draw at Preston on 4 March and so are not averse to picking up points on the road.
Swansea Win
Swansea are inconsistent but always have the power to surprise. They beat Bristol City on their travels back in February, but it’s fair to say they haven’t faired well against the league’s top guns this season. They can take heart from pushing Leeds close back in November – their 4-3 defeat could have gone either way, such was the closeness of the game.
LEEDS UNITED VS SWANSEA – BETTING TIPS
Leeds United to Win
It’s very hard to look beyond a Leeds United win here. They may be in the middle of a slight wobble, but they should be too strong for mid-table Swansea. Their need for points is greater, they have the most prolific attack in the league, and the home support will be roaring them on.
Over 2.5 Goals
Each of the last three games between the two sides have ended in over 2.5 goals, including the seven-goal thriller last November. Eight of the last 10 games between the two sides have also had over 2.5 goals dating back to 2007.
Leeds have scored 76 goals in the Championship this season, 16 ahead of second-placed Norwich in the scoring stats. Swansea have conceded 49 goals this season too.
LEEDS UNITED VS SWANSEA – HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Leeds United and Swansea have played each other 43 times, with Leeds having won on 24 occasions. There have been 12 wins for Swansea and seven draws.
- Leeds United have won the last four meetings with Swansea and five of the last six.
- Leeds United have only won one of their last four games (D2, L1).
- Swansea are looking to avoid a third straight league defeat.
