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Attendance: 35,567

Championship | Gameweek 16

Nov 9, 2019 at 3pm UK

Leeds Leeds United
2-1
Blackburn Blackburn Rovers

Bamford (30' pen.), Harrison (35')

FT(HT: 2-1)

Williams (40')

Preview: Leeds United vs. Blackburn Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

By Sean Wilson | 07 November 2019

Sports Mole previews the Championship fixture between Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Promotion-chasing Leeds United host Blackburn Rovers as they look to keep the pressure on Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion.

Blackburn put an end to a six-game winless run with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday last time out and will hope for victory against another Yorkshire club.

Match preview

Leeds United's Jack Harrison celebrates scoring their second goal against QPR on November 2, 2019 © Reuters

Leeds's 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers last time out marked their fourth successive game without defeat as they look to stabilise their form.

Marcelo Bielsa's side started with a bang, winning five and drawing one of their first six games across all competitions, conceding just twice in that run.

However, they then lost three of their next six in the league as some profligate finishing cost them points, scoring just five times in that run compared to the 10 they hit in their first five Championship outings.

Two draws and two wins have since followed, but head coach Bielsa has come in for some rare criticism from Leeds fans for persisting with Patrick Bamford ahead of on-loan Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.

Blackburn will hope to take advantage of some of that wayward finishing, as they have the joint-third worst defensive record of any side outside the relegation zone.

In fact, they have not kept a clean sheet since a 2-0 win over Millwall in mid-September - eight games ago - and have managed just four overall this term.

A mixed start to the league campaign featured four wins from Blackburn's first eight Championship games, but their form gave out as September gave way to October.

A six-game winless run including four defeats followed, before finally picking up three points against Wednesday last time out.

Leeds United form: WLWDDW
Blackburn Rovers form: DLDLLW

Team News

Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring for Leeds United on September 15, 2019 © Reuters

Bielsa's decision to field Bamford up front has been made easier through Nketiah picking up an abdominal injury, but the lack of firepower from the bench could be concerning for Leeds.

Jamie Shackleton and Adam Forshaw are out, limiting Bielsa's midfield options, while Gjanni Alioski is also unavailable with injury.

However, Barry Douglas is back after a knee problem and could be thrust straight back into action to cover for Alioski at left-back.

Stuart Dallas has been a regular in the side of late and has been used in a variety of roles including winger, central midfield and both full-back positions, meaning he could be the man to step in instead.

Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray will be unable to call on Darragh Lenihan, Ben Brereton, Dominic Samuel and Harry Chapman, who are working their way back from injury.

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Casilla; Ayling, White, Cooper, Dallas; Phillips; Costa, Klich, Roberts, Harrison; Bamford

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Walton; Bennett, Nyambe, Adarabioyo, Williams; Travis, Downing; Holtby, Dack, Armstrong; Gallagher

We say: Leeds United 1-0 Blackburn Rovers

Leeds are favourites in almost every Championship game but rarely seem to win by more than the odd goal. The promotion-chasing side should win, but it could be another narrow scoreline.