Match Preview: Leeds United v Wigan Athletic. Don’t think about Good Friday. Just don’t.

Match: Leeds United v Wigan Athletic

Date: 1st February 2020

Time: 15.00 GMT, 10.00 ET, 08.00 PST.

Venue: Elland Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

Streaming: iFollow, LUTV (outside the UK).

Leeds United welcome Wigan Athletic to Elland Road off the back of a morale boosting 3-2 win over Millwall on Tuesday night.

Overall, Leeds were the better side by miles against Millwall but a couple of very poor errors gifted Millwall a 2-0 lead before Leeds snapped back into action, a Patrick Bamford brace either side of a Pablo Hernandez goal getting Leeds the win.

Leeds will probably field an unchanged starting line-up unless there is a late injury, this is almost always the case after a win. Leeds are still without Kalvin Phillips through suspension.

There was something of a surprise that defender Gaetano Berardi was not involved against Millwall, but it has since been revealed that he had a calf problem. He is available once again although I wouldn’t expect him to come into the side following a win, he will probably be on the bench.

The other change to the squad should see new signing Jean-Kevin Augustin come on to the substitutes bench. The France youth international won’t come into the side following Patrick Bamford’s brace (and probably wouldn’t yet anyway knowing Marcelo Bielsa) but hopefully we will see him make his debut at some point.

The additions of Berardi and Augustin will probably see Jordan Stevens and one of Oliver Casey/Pascal Struijk drop out of the squad.

Opponents Wigan Athletic also picked up a win on Tuesday night with a 2-1 home victory against Sheffield Wednesday. Jamal Lowe scoring a late winner for the Latics.

Wigan will almost certainly line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation so Leeds will be in a 4-1-4-1 in all likelihood.

Most of their talent come in attacking midfield and out wide. Jamal Lowe is quick and direct with an eye for goal, Kieren Dowell and Josh Windass are both creative players with a lot of talent. However, Dowell went off injured last time out and it is expected Josh Windass could leave on today’s (31st January) transfer deadline day.

The probable midfield two of Lee Evans and Sam Morsy are decent enough, Morsy on a good day is a good player, but it is nothing for Leeds to fear. Although I would worry about how Leeds will do in the air against Wales international Kieffer Moore up front.

Wigan are also expected to be without on loan Chelsea right-back Dujon Sterling and centre-back and set-piece specialist Charlie Mulgrew has ended his loan early and returned to Blackburn Rovers. Kal Naismith, who was originally thought of as a winger, has been filling in a centre-back and you would think that is an area Leeds can exploit.

Wigan’s probable best player, left-back Antonee Robinson is also likely to leave on transfer deadline day. The USA international is expected to make a £10m move to Serie A giants AC Milan (I expect the fee to be lower than that).

PREDICTED LINE-UPS

Leeds (4-1-4-1) - Casilla; Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski; White; Costa, Dallas, Hernandez, Harrison; Bamford - expect rotation of positions, Ayling RB, Dallas in CM, White in CB etc.

Wigan (4-2-3-1) - Marshall; Byrne, Kipre, Naismith, Fox; Evans, Morsy; Lowe, Gelhardt, Jacobs; Moore.

On paper, Leeds should win this easily. We have heard that a number of times though. I am going to go for a 2-0 win. Bamford and Augustin getting one of the bench.

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