Match Preview: Leeds United v Millwall. Leeds need a win, they really really need a win.

Match: Leeds United v Millwall

Date: 28th January 2020

Time: 19.45 GMT, 14.45 ET, 11.45 PST.

Venue: Elland Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

TV Coverage: Sky Sports Football.

Streaming: iFollow, LUTV (outside the UK).

When you have one win in seven you want a home match to get back on the horse, you would probably rather play someone who isn’t Millwall though. This match is also previewed in our latest podcast, available below.

Millwall have only lost two of their last 16 league matches after a considerable improvement under new manager Gary Rowett.

Millwall lost 2-0 at home to Sheffield United on Saturday in the FA Cup, but they did make a few changes to prioritise the clash at Elland Road.

Millwall’s have switched between a 3-4-3 with wing-backs and a 4-4-2 over the last few weeks so it is unclear whether Leeds will be in a 3-3-1-3 or a 4-1-4-1, but with Kalvin Phillips’ suspension Leeds could end up 3-3-1-3 regardless.

Leeds defensive struggles against set-pieces will be threatened once again thanks to Millwall’s height, particularly defender Jake Cooper and former Leeds striker Matt Smith who tower over Leeds’ entire squad. The recent addition of Ryan Woods on loan from Stoke City adds quality to their midfield and out wide Jed Wallace is one of the form players in the league this season.

There have been some additions at Leeds since the last match but none are likely to start against Millwall.

Kalvin Phillips is suspended for three matches following his red card against QPR and Marcelo Bielsa stated in his press conference that Ben White will move forward into the CDM role. He did this against Huddersfield Town in a 2-0 win, but played very deep so Leeds basically ended up in a 3-3-1-3 for most of the match.

I would expect that Leeds will play Gaetano Berardi at centre-back as a replacement. The former Switzerland international was sent off in the away fixture but it was overturned as it was an incredibly obvious dive from striker Tom Bradshaw. It is also possible Leeds could move Luke Ayling to centre-back and play Stuart Dallas and Barry Douglas/Ezgjan Alioski as the full/wing backs.

Leeds have a few more options following the 10 day break, with Jamie Shackleton and Tyler Roberts both returning to fitness, although neither are likely to start. New signing Ian Poveda is also available and is likely to be on the bench following his move from Manchester City.

New signing Jean-Kevin Augustin, on loan from RB Leipzig, is available as his move was completed in time - but Marcelo Bielsa has said he is unlikely to be involved on Tuesday, Wales striker Tyler Roberts will probably be the striker option off the bench.

PREDICTED LINE-UPS

Leeds (4-1-4-1) - Casilla; Ayling, Berardi, Cooper, Dallas; White; Costa, Klich, Hernandez, Harrison; Bamford.

Millwall (3-4-3) - Bialkowski; Hutchinson, Pearce, Cooper; Romeo, Woods, Molumby, M.Wallace; J.Wallace, Bradshaw, O’Brien

Leeds need a performance but more importantly Leeds need a win. A Leeds United player has not scored since Stuart Dallas scored Leeds’ fourth goal against Birmingham City. The signing of Augustin increases the pressure on Patrick Bamford so hopefully he can get a goal and get some confidence back.

I would love to be more confident, but I am going for a 1-1 draw.

What do you think the result will be? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter @ThruItAllLUFC.