But a return of only one point in their last two games against Sunderland and Coventry City has taken the wind out of their sails. The festive season now gives them the opportunity to rediscover the winning touch and also keep the pressure on the top two teams, Leicester City and Ipswich Town, in the race for the coveted automatic promotion spots.
Junior Firpo, Stuart Dallas and Sam Byram are all out injured, but Farke has an otherwise fully-fit squad at his disposal. He is likely to retain the 4-2-3-1 formation that appears to give the Whites the balance they crave. Illan Meslier should start in goal, while Archie Gray should continue at right-back. Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk are expected to retaining their spots in the backline, while Djed Spence should replace Sam Byram at left-back. Ethan Ampadu and Glen Kamara should also retain their spots as the double pivot, holding the fort for Daniel James, Joel Piroe and Crysencio Summerville to get the ball forward.
The Blues have lost just twice in the Championship all season, one of which came against Leeds. Elland Road has not been a good destination for them in recent years, and they now face the prospect of succumbing to a league double to Leeds for the first time since 2001. A win will not just strengthen their hold on second spot but also keep Kieran McKenna’s side hot on the heels of Leicester.
Vaclav Hladky should start in goal with the back four of Harry Clarke, Luke Woolfenden, Cameron Burgess and Leif Davis providing him protection. Sam Morsy and Massimo Luongo should provide the double pivot in the midfield with the trio of Wes Burns, Conor Chaplin and Nathan Broadhead providing the attacking impetus. George Hirst should retain his spot upfront and will aim to get the better of Leeds’s back four. Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Hladky; Clarke, Woolfenden, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Luongo; Burns, Chaplin, Broadhead; Hirst Key Stats Ipswich Town last won on a trip to Elland Road in 2015.
Georginio Rutter should once again get the nod over Patrick Bamford and will hope to catch the Ipswich Town defence off guard. Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Struijk, Spence; Ampadu, Kamara; James, Piroe, Summerville; Rutter Ipswich Town Former Manchester United man Kieran McKenna deserves much credit for the work he has done at Portman Road. Ipswich Town are in dreamland right now and are very well in the running to make a return to the Premier League. The Blues have lost just once in the last six games and twice throughout the league campaign.
However, they have picked up just one point from the last two games and will be wary of falling behind Southampton who are only lagging behind on goal difference. Ipswich Town, on the other hand, are in dreamland, having only gained promotion to the second tier at the end of the 2022/23 season. They are currently enjoying the best start to a campaign by a promoted side ever in the Championship and have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
With the Foxes set to visit Portman Road on Boxing Day, the upcoming week could prove pivotal to Ipswich’s dreams of securing a second successive promotion. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how these two sides will line up and what tactics they might employ. Team News & Tactics Leeds United Daniel Farke’s men appeared set to assault the top of the EFL Championship table.
Championship, League One and League Two LIVE! Dec 14, 2023 — Leeds vs Ipswich: How to watch and follow · On TV: Live on Sky Sports Football from 12pm on Saturday. · Online: Sky Customers can also watch on ...