Leeds v Birmingham Preview: Leeds look to keep the centenary celebrations going with win over Blues

By @ed_mcintyre98

Leeds United will take on Birmingham City at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon, with the Whites aiming to continue their centenary celebrations.

Marcelo Bielsa's side will have added pressure on them heading into Saturdays game, as this week saw Leeds United turn 100-years-old, with the club hosting various events to celebrate the milestone. And continuing with the centenary celebrations, the Leeds players will be wearing limited edition kits against Birmingham this weekend to mark the occasion.

The Whites don't go into the game in good form though, as they lost 2-1 away at Millwall before the international break, a results which saw them drop to 5th place in the Championship table - the first time they have dropped below 4th while under Bielsa.

However, despite now losing three of their last six games, the Whites do remain just two points behind joint league leaders West Brom (who Leeds defeated 1-0 in their previous home game) and Nottingham Forest.

Elsewhere, the Blues have had a mixed start to their 2019/20 Championship campaign, picking up five wins, five losses and just one draw in their opening 11 matches.

One of their five wins came in their last game, as a late strike from 19-year-old Odin Bailey secured a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at home. The Blues however lost all three games prior to that win.

Birmingham City, managed by former Leeds United assistant head coach Pep Clotet, are sure to take confidence from last season as they were the only team to do the double over Bielsa's side.

Team news

Leeds fans received good news this week when Bielsa revealed in his press conference that they can welcome back 34-year-old midfield maestro, Pablo Hernandez, after the Spaniard has missed the past three games with a muscle problem.

However, the Whites are still without Adam Forshaw (hip), Jamie Shackleton (hamstring) and captain Liam Cooper (groin).

Meanwhile, Birmingham City is still without Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero who despite being back in training ahead of schedule is still not fit to feature. Midfielder Josh McEachran, who joined Birmingham as a free agent at the end of September, is also still working on his match fitness.

Quick match facts

Leeds United have lost their last three league games against Birmingham City, all by a single-goal margin.

Birmingham have won six of their last ten away league visits to Elland Road, which include three of their last four.

Match information

Leeds United v Birmingham City

Sky Bet Championship

3:00pm Saturday 19th October 2019

Elland Road