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Leeds logo
Championship
Feb 1, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Huddersfield logo

5-1

McCormack (45', 62', 73'), Kebe (50'), Mowatt (82')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Ward (25')

Preview: Leeds United vs. Huddersfield Town

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Yorkshire derby between Leeds United and Huddersfield Town at Elland Road.

Leeds United will look to put an end to their torrid recent run of form when they face Huddersfield Town in a Yorkshire derby at Elland Road this Saturday.

Leeds fans will not need reminding what happened last time they came up against a fellow team from Yorkshire as Sheffield Wednesday ran riot at Hillsborough on their way to a 6-0 victory.

That was one of five consecutive defeats for Brian McDermott's side, a run that came to an end on Tuesday when they picked up a point at home to Ipswich Town.

However, they are still without a win in eight games in all competitions and are seeing their playoff hopes fade with each disappointing result.

They now sit eight points behind sixth-placed Reading and will need to return to winning ways soon if they are to save their season and get back amongst the playoff challengers.

A first home win in five, particularly in what is likely to be a feisty Yorkshire derby, would be the perfect way to do that and could give Leeds a second wind for the remainder of the season.

They will have to overcome continued off-field issues if they are to pick up three points, with the latest takeover bid for the club proving unsuccessful this week.

The Whites still boast the league's top scorer in 18-goal Ross McCormack, but even he has struggled in recent weeks, with Leeds netting just once in their last four outings.

McCormack is expected to start after Leeds rejected an offer from West Ham United for the player, but he is likely to be up front alone once again as Matt Smith continues to serve his suspension.

Huddersfield sit just one place below their Yorkshire rivals in the Championship table and would leapfrog them into the top half with a win on Saturday.

Such a result would require them to end their own slump in form, however, with three consecutive defeats in all competitions leaving them short of confidence.

They have struggled on their travels so far this season, picking up just 12 points and not winning any of their last five away league games, a run which includes four defeats.

Town have made a few additions to their squad during the January transfer window, including Nahki Wells, who made an instant impact on his debut and is expected to start on Saturday.

Mark Robins could be without James Vaughan, Peter Clarke, Jon Stead and Joel Lynch, however, as they are all rated as doubts for the match.

Recent form

Leeds: LLLLLD

Huddersfield: LWWLLL

Possible starting lineups

Leeds: Kenny; Byram, Pearce, Lees, Warnock; Stewart, Austin, Murphy, Mowatt, Kebe; McCormack

Huddersfield: Smithies; Wallace, Gerrard, Smith; Hammill, Clayton, Hogg, Norwood, Dixon; Wells, Ward

Sports Mole says: 2-2


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Written by
Barney Corkhill
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