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Preview: Leeds United vs. Rotherham United

Sports Mole looks ahead to Saturday's Championship clash between Leeds United and Rotherham United.

Leeds United and Rotherham United meet at Elland Road hoping to build momentum ahead of next season, with an assault on promotion in mind.

Both sides have languished in the bottom half of the Championship for most of the campaign, but they have both secured their place in the league next season and can enjoy a stress-free Yorkshire derby.



Leeds United

Massimo Cellino President and Director of Leeds United during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Fulham at Elland Road on December 13, 2014© Getty Images

Last month, Leeds United's garden was rosy as they embarked on an impressive five-game unbeaten run, but the walls came crashing down when assistant manager Steve Thompson was suspended.

They then lost five games in a row before they claimed a vital win at Sheffield Wednesday last time out, thanks to goals from Charlie Taylor and Steve Morison.

They sit 15th in the table and can't improve, while they won't finish any lower than 16th, which means that they will finish in the bottom half for the fourth year in a row.

Their game with Rotherham could mark the return to the club of owner Massimo Cellino, who hasn't been to a game since January.

Cellino is banned from having any executive influence until Sunday, but the Football League has informed him that he can attend, although he has said that is in unsure whether he will go.

The home side have lost their last three at Elland Road, and manager Neil Redfearn is understood to be under pressure and has said that he will hold talks with the club in the summer.

A victory against Rotherham could help to keep him in the job a little longer at least.

Recent form: LLLLLW



Rotherham United

Lee Frecklington of Rotherham celebrates his goal with team mates Matt Derbyshire during the Sky Bet Championship match between Rotherham United and Reading at The New York Stadium on April 28, 2015© Getty Images

Rotherham's 2-1 win at home to Reading confirmed their status as a Championship club for another season, and there is expected to be a party atmosphere in the away end at Elland Road.

Manager Steve Evans has said that he will wear shorts, flip flops and a sombrero if fans demand it, as the club celebrates consolidating their place in English football's second tier.

Evans admitted that he was panicking, as they are still expected to be deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player which almost gave Millwall and Wigan Athletic hope on the final day.

He has also revealed that he intends to be their manager next season despite reported interest from Peterborough United, while the chairman, Tony Stewart, has said that they want a promotion push.

Victory at Leeds would give them momentum, and earn them back-to-back wins for the first time this season. This is partly down to their poor away form, which has yielded just three wins and only one in 2015.

They could finish the season as high as 19th in the table, as Brighton & Hove Albion and Reading sit just ahead of them.

Recent form: LWLDDW



Team News

Leeds United's English defender Aidy White vies with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero during the fifth round English FA Cup football match on February 17, 2013© Getty Images

Left-back Aidy White could make his return to the Leeds first team after missing the season with a broken bone in his foot.

He sat on the bench against Sheffield Wednesday, and could take the place of Scott Wootton.

Redfearn will be without Edgar Cani, who has a knee injury, while Giuseppe Bellusci is a major doubt with a foot problem. Billy Sharp is unlikely to regain his place up front, following the win at Hillsborough.

Rotherham could name the same team which beat Reading in midweek, although there are several players knocking on the door to return.

Jordan Bowery and Adam Hammill sat on the bench against the Royals, while Jonson Clarke-Harris could earn a start after he was recalled from a loan spell at Doncaster Rovers.

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
S Taylor, White, Bamba, Cooper, Berardi, Byram, Murphy, Austin, Mowatt, C Taylor, Morison.

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Hunt, Morgan, Broadfoot, Lafferty; Frecklington, Smallwood, Arnason, Pringle; Bowery, Derbyshire.



Head To Head

Both sides have had equal success in the Yorkshire derby with 11 wins each, although Rotherham have an impressive recent record.

They have lost just one of their last six, and claimed a 2-1 win in the reverse victory in October.

Leeds have a better record at Elland Road with six wins from 11 games, while the Millers have claimed three victories, although the last was a 4-3 win in 1962.



Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:



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We say: Leeds United 3-2 Rotherham United

These two sides have little to play for, so it should be an entertaining, attacking game where both teams go for the win.

Leeds are the home side and are higher up in the table, so we make them favourites against a Rotherham side who intend to enjoy a pressure-free afternoon.



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Written by
Charlie Bennett
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Leeds caretaker manager Neil Redfearn shouts instructions during the npower Championship match between Charlton Athletic and Leeds United at the Valley on April 06, 2013
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