Leeds United host Brighton in the penultimate game in the Npower Championship with Gus Poyet making his return to Elland Road after once being assistant manager to Dennis Wise. Leeds go into the game having lost all play off hopes after a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham, they are currently positioned 13th (W16 D10 L18) compared to Brighton who only need a win to secure a play off place are in 4th (W17 D18 L9) However for a while automatic promotion places have been now out of reach. Looking at the two teams in their last 6 games, Leeds have picked up 6 points (W2 D0 L4) compared to Brighton who have picked up 10 points in their last 6 (W2 D4 L0) and undefeated in their last 7. No prizes for guessing who the favourite is. The last game in particular as Leeds had a tough 1-0 defeat to Birmingham, a side who have been down on their luck all season, compared to Brighton beating Blackpool, a side who were expected to be up there at the start of the season and have the joint best player in the Football League (according to FourFourTwo) by 6-1.
Looking at the team news, for Leeds Brian McDermott have injury concerns over Rudy Austin and Adam Drury ahead of the game, Austin has a slight knee problem and Drury is struggling with his back. However but players are expected to be fit and ready for the final game of an abismal season at Elland Road, Lee Peltier came back from injury after coming on as a substitute and could be back in the starting line up on Saturday. McDermott has two options of either keeping the same two of Tom Lees and Jason Pearce in central defence, or recall the skipper to play alongside one of the two. Steve Morison is also pushing for a recall. David Norris is sidelined after surgery on his knee and forward Davide Somma has suffered another blow in his career last week as he now requires an operation to resolve a cartilage problem.
Gus Poyet can play the same squad as the one who batterd Blackpool last weekend, Craig Mackail-Smith and Will Hoskins remain the only players out of the squad after four players made successful returns last week. Including Ashley Barnes who returned from a 7 game suspension after remarkably attempting to trip up the referee against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. Wingers LuaLua, Buckley and right back Bruno all made returnes in the Blackpool game as well as Barnes. Keeper Tomasz Kuszczak had a clash of heads in the second half and will be expected to play aginst the club who attempted to loan him whilst he was at Manchester United, as much as he wanted to come to the club, Sir Alex wouldn't let him go with the clubs being rivals, however if Kuszczak dosen't play, then ex Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankegren could be in the mix (I would like to see him back at Elland Road)
My predicted line ups are
Leeds United: Formation (4-4-2)
1. Kenny
25. Byram
4. Lees
5. Pearce
15. Warnock
7. Green
8. Austin
18. Tonge
21. Diouf
44. McCormack
11. Varney
Brighton:
1. Ankergren
3. Greer
14. Calderon
20. Upson
2. Bruno
4. Hammond
11. Orlandi
21. David Lopez
26. Bridcutt
30. Buckley
9. Barnes
My prediction is a 1-1 draw for the game. Leeds will be wanting to bounce back after the Birmingham defeat but Brighton will still be strong and not let Leeds through easily. A post match review will be up on Sunday. You can follow me on Twitter @AJWoodward29, and keep up to date with everything on this blog and everything Leeds by following @LUFCWorld
