Leeds and Bristol City could serve up a thriller

Sky Bet Championship
Sky Sports Football, 4.30pm Sunday

No wins in eight versus one win in ten. Two teams with the scent of automatic promotion in their nostrils a couple of months back have suddenly gone to pieces, and it makes this showdown at Elland Road a tough one to call.

It’s no surprise that Leeds’s response to their mini-slump was to jettison yet another manager although Bristol City are far more phlegmatic about their ‘crisis’ given that two of the losses in their current barren run were against all-conquering Manchester City.

Lee Johnson has been well and truly backed to turn the Robins’ fortunes around although he’d be far more confident of avoiding defeat at Leeds if he had his first-choice defence to call upon.

Sky Bet Championship standings

Nathan Baker and Aden Flint have been massive performers for the Robins and the banned Baker was sorely missed last Saturday when City conceded three against Sunderland in a 3-3 draw.

Leeds, who won 3-0 at Ashton Gate in October, have shipped four in each of their last two home games – against Millwall and Cardiff – and that has to be a worry for new boss Paul Heckingbottom.

Goals may well be the currency today. Heckingbottom’s Barnsley were rarely dull while Johnson’s Bristol City have always been good entertainment value. Both clubs average 2.6 goals per game so get on over 2.5 at even money.

Heckingbottom’s first game in charge was last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Sheffield United, an open game with chances at both ends. And having slipped to eight points off the playoff pace, Leeds have little choice other than to be positive if they are to satisfy the owner’s craving for promotion.

Leeds have issues on the right side of defence which the visitors can exploit and they carry a formidable threat at set plays, especially from free-scoring centre-half Flint.

This promises to be a really decent affair.

Recommendation
Over 2.5 goals
1pt Evs general

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Leeds
Samu Saiz, Gaetano Berardi and Liam Cooper are suspended. Luke Ayling, Tyler Roberts and Conor Shaughnessy are long-term crocks. Kemar Roofe is a doubt.

Bristol City
Centre-back Nathan Baker is banned. Gary O’Neil, Eros Pisano, Callum O’Dowda, Jens Hegeler, Milan Djuric and Matty Taylor are all still out.

Key stat
Bristol City have lost only three of their 15 away games

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