Leeds United vs. Blackburn Rovers preview: A Battle for the Championship Cellar

Leeds take on Blackburn in the battle of two of the worst teams so far this season. No doubt it'll be a cracker. Blackburn have yet to win and have lost four while Leeds have won once and also lost four. The bonus for fans is that Blackburn have conceded 13 goals in six games and Leeds have conceded ten. There will be goals and there will be blood if Garry Monk's men fail to notch their first win at home. But a win against Blackburn could well be the catalyst for Leeds to start building a bit of momentum.

Our record against Blackburn is nothing to be proud of. Since 2012 we've met them eight times and won just once. Last year, on the road. With five losses on the bounce as well as two draws, the omens aren't great for a Leeds side struggling with confidence and the way that Monk wants to play. Leeds are at a stage that they have become far too used to over recent years and that is dog-fighting in the early parts of the season. With Blackburn, Cardiff, Bristol City and Ipswich closing out September, we must start adding points when we can, and these are winnable.

But we've made our worst start to a season since 1980, and unless a massive change is coming we won't be making any comebacks. Eunan O'Kane is in line to make his debut tomorrow and alongside new captain Bridcutt could be the man to calm the side down and start spraying passes around. Marcus Antonsson, who was voted player of the month by both our fantastic staff and even better readers, has really grown into the side and needs to build on it. Chris Wood has three goals this season, but is still passing up far too many chances. If he can start actually scoring goals, we may have a decent chance of going somewhere this year.

The big problem for everyone to see is the defence. We have a left back who doesn't want to be there, a centre back pairing that is changed more often than the judges on the X-Factor, and our best right back is injured. Monk needs to settle on a back four that is only interested in defending and not attacking, similar to Wilko's side or last season's Premier League winners Leicester. If he can settle on a back four that are going to be there for the next, say, three games, a bit of continuity can provide some results.

Blackburn are going to be a huge test because we're both in the proverbial sh**. One win in seven against the bottom side isn't the best of records to be going into a must win game.

But we are at home and we need the fans to get behind the team. A win tonight and our season begins to change. A loss and I'm very fearful our wonderful editor may really burn down the internet.

WHAT

Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers

EFL Championship Fixture

WHERE

Elland Road Stadium, Leeds

LUTV, BBC Radio Leeds

WHEN

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

11:45am PT / 2:45pm ET / 7:45pm BT

WHO

Leeds United's lineup

Green, Ayling, Jansson, Bartley, Taylor, Bridcutt, O'Kane, Hernandez, Dallas, Sacko, Antonsson

Subs: Silvestri, Coyle, Cooper, Phillips, Mowatt, Doukara, Wood

Blackburn Rovers’ lineup

Steele, Williams, Hoban, Greer, Lowe, Marshall, Conway, Akpan, Conway, Gallagher, Graham

Subs: Raya, Feeney, Byrne, Samuelsen, Emnes, Guthrie, Lenihan

ODDS

Leeds 11/10

Draw 12/5

Blackburn 29/10

PREDICTION

Leeds to win 2-1 and my boy Marcus Antonsson to score the first.

Here’s how you’re feeling before the match...

Yikes. Must win tonight. MOT.