Oh, how I’d love to be walking to Elland Road this morning. For the hundreds of thousands of us international fans, that’s a once-in-a-lifetime option (if we’re lucky), so for those of you that get to walk into the Leeds United home opener against Birmingham City today, soak it up.
It doesn’t matter if we lost in the season opener, or won in a nail-biter in the first round of the EFL Cup... today is Leeds United at Elland Road. This is what we wait all summer for. Can’t wait to see how they play in Garry Monk’s first match, his foundation for his fortress.
Our Jack Dudley put together a wonderful preview for this match, so if you haven’t read that yet... go. Now. And Daniel from Birmingham blog Often Partisan gave us a breathtaking, confidence-building interview for our latest Leeds Against The World, so read that too if you’ve got the time. Regardless, we’ll be updating this gamethread with all the information as it comes in, lineups, predictions, everything, and our staff and readers will be hanging out in the comments throughout. Join us there.
Let’s get three points to get this season going in the right direction.
And let’s build Garry his fortress. We love you, Leeds, Leeds, Leeds.
WHAT
Leeds United vs. Birmingham City
Football League Championship
WHERE
Elland Road, Leeds
LUTV, BBC Radio Leeds
WHEN
Saturday, August 13, 2016
7:00am PT / 10:00am ET / 3:00pm BT
WHO
Leeds United’s lineup
Green, Ayling, Bamba, Bartley, Taylor, Vieira, Mowatt, Hernandez, Sacko, Antonsson, Wood.
Subs: Turnbull, Coyle, Cooper, Phillips, Grimes, Dallas, Roofe.
Birmingham City’s lineup
Kuszczak, Spector, Morrison, Shotton, Grounds, Gleeson, Davis, Cotterill, Kieftenbeld, Maghoma, Donaldson
Subs: Legzdins, Robinson, Tesche, Fabbrini, Adams, Stewart, Storer
ODDS
Leeds 13/10
Draw 21/10
Birmingham 23/10
PREDICTION
Johnny Wakefield: 3-1 Leeds. I wasn’t so sure before I read this week’s Q&A, but I think the team will come out strong and, while they’ll make their share of mistakes and concede one, they’ll cruise. Goals for Antonsson, Roofe, and Mowatt.
Matt Robinson: 2-1 Leeds. I'm basing this on Birmingham looking worse than us so far over the past two games and the crowd dragging Leeds over the line. Hernandez was the difference on Wednesday and will be again today. Hopefully we'll start on a front foot 4-4-2 with Wood and Antonsson so goals shouldn't be a problem. No doubt we'll make some mistakes at the back so I can't see a clean sheet. 2-1.
Jack Dudley: 2-1 Leeds. I think Leeds will get their season back on track tomorrow, although it won't be comfortable.
Joshua Gilbert: 2-2 Draw. Even with the win on Wednesday, I still don’t think the team chemistry is 100%. I thing Birmingham City will capitalize first on our errors but the second half will be all Leeds.
And here’s how you’re feeling...
How's everyone feeling about the Elland Road opener against Birmingham City? #LUFC #MOT
— Through It All LEEDS (@ThruItAllLUFC) August 13, 2016
Let’s do this. See you in the comments. #MOT.