Leeds United at Huddersfield Town Preview: Whites look to close gap on top two

Leeds United travel to John Smith’s stadium to face Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town on Sunday morning. After a 1-0 loss in the first game (where our own Ben Mallis’ Aussie soul mate Aaron Mooy scored the winner, traitor!) Leeds need to win the return fixture. Because in this Yorkshire Derby, there are more than bragging rights on the line.

The Terriers sit just two points behind United in the table and are coming off an inspiring victory over ladder leading Brighton & Hove Albion. A win for Leeds could vault them two points below the top two and further fuel dreams of automatic promotion as Newcastle continue to stutter.

Here are three keys to a Leeds victory on Sunday.

Keep calm and march on:

The win against Blackburn was a massive result, but it needs to be built on. Leeds have been inconsistent of late and it needs to stop. The win against Blackburn is a stepping stone. Use it.

Stay rock solid at the back:

Jansson and Bartley have been f*cking insane this season. Ayling alongside them has been the best right back in the league. Taylor is a loss, but Berardi is a solid replacement. If Leeds keep Huddersfield out and the supply to Wells at a minimum, it will have a solid chance of a clean sheet.

Do not let Mooy have the ball in our half:

Mooy is one of the best midfielders in the league and was the difference in the first game at Elland Road. Cut him out of the game and Huddersfield die. They did us a massive favour beating Brighton, but we need to cut them down and if we take Mooy out we should be fine. Bridcutt is the main man to curb Mallis’s best mate’s influence.

Form:

Leeds have been inconsistent of late with three wins and two losses in their last five games.

Huddersfield have been on a better run earning four wins in their past five games, with just the lone loss against Wednesday.

Head to Head:

Leeds have won five of the last 11 meetings, with Huddersfield winning four and two draws. Huddersfield have come out on top in the last two meetings, including a 4-1 drubbing at Elland Road last season.

What:

Huddersfield Town v Leeds United

EFL Championship Fixture

Where:

John’s Smith Stadium, Huddersfield

Sky Sports 1, beIN Sports, LUTV, BBC Radio Leeds, International Listing

When:

Sunday, February 5, 2017

12 noon GMT, 07:00 ET, 04:00 PT

Who:

Leeds United predicted starting XI:

Green, Ayling, Jansson, Bartley, Berardi, Bridcutt, Vieira, Roofe, Hernandez, Doukara, Wood

Huddersfield Town predicted starting XI:

Ward, Smith, Hefele, Schindler, Löwe, Hogg, Mooy, Kachunga, Brown, van La Parra, Wells

Odds:

Leeds 9/4

Draw 21/10

Huddersfield 13/10

Prediction:

Leeds 2-0. Leeds pulled a result out of their arse against Blackburn when the King himself Pontus Jansson nicked the winner with minutes to go. If nothing else, it proved that Leeds have the bottle to win games, something they haven’t being able to do in recent years. Leeds need a win, they need to keep the run going and Huddersfield is the perfect game to do it. It makes a massive statement and brings us closer to the promised land. Wood to bag both goals.