Leeds v Millwall Preview: Leeds look to bounce back from defeat and maintain push for top two

By @ImoLeeds

Championship action returns at the weekend as Leeds United prepare to host Millwall at Elland Road on Saturday, as the race for promotion gets back underway.

Leeds go into the game one point behind second placed Sheffield United after their 1-0 defeat to the Blades before the break, and they find themselves in a situation where they have to focus on other teams’ results as well as their own. But there is no need to write Leeds off at all, as come Saturday night the Whites could find themselves sitting in the Championship automatic promotion spots. It is that tight at the top.

Goalkeeper Kiko Casilla finds himself suspended for the game this weekend after he was sent off during their 1-0 defeat to the Blades for a challenge on Billy Sharp. This will see Bailey Peacock-Farrell replace the Spaniard between the sticks after having not played for Leeds since the 2-1 defeat at Stoke City back in mid-January. However, Peacock-Farrell did play in both of Northern Ireland’s wins in their European Qualifiers during the international break; conceding one goal in the two matches.

Whites boosted by player returns

The Whites have been boosted by the return of defender Pontus Jansson, who effectively has not missed any league action, but after suffering an injury against Sheffield United and being withdrawn from the Sweden squad he was expected to be an omission in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad against the Lions.

Rob Price (physio) has not only worked his magic on Jansson, but midfielder Adam Forshaw as well who finds himself available for selection this weekend. Bielsa also revealed during his pre-match press conference that striker Kemar Roofe will be back fit for the trip to Birmingham.

Millwall in desperate need of a result

Elsewhere, boss Neil Harris sees his Millwall side currently sit in 20th place in the Championship table and just one point above the relegation zone.

The Lions will be gunning for a result as they have lost four out of their last five Championship games. And in their last game, in the FA Cup, they lost at home to Brighton on penalties.

Previous meetings

Earlier in the season the two sides drew 1-1 at the Den after a late Jack Harrison equaliser cancelled out Jed Wallace’s opener just after the restart.

Last seasons meeting at Elland Road was a spectacle, as Millwall won 4-3 in dramatic fashion to grab their first away win of the season, after Leeds came back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 with ten men. The Whites will be hoping a similar outcome doesn’t occur.

Match Information

Leeds United v Millwall

Sky Bet Championship

3:00pm Saturday 30th March 2019

Elland Road