Leeds Utd v Wigan Athletic
Saturday 1st February 2020 15.00 | Elland Road
Top of the table Leeds face third from bottom Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon as the Whites look to extend their 4 point gap between first and third. Although the fixture looks easy on paper, let's remember they beat fellow Promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday midweek, which will give the Latics a renewed confidence ahead of Saturdays clash.
Following their second half heroics, Bielsa is likely to keep faith with the same XI that came from behind to beat Millwall midweek, but with Kelvin Phillips sidelined due to suspension, will the Argentine keep tinkering with the gap in defensive midfield. Gaetano Berardi is back from injury which could lead to Ben White stepping into midfield or will Stuart Dallas retain the role. Can we can expect to see a cameo role from marquee signing Jean-Kevin Augustin? Yhough the 22 year old hitman is likely to be eased in gradually by Bielsa. When the time is right will Bielsa play Bamford and Augustin together or keep with his favoured 4-1-4-1 formation that has been used on 21 occasions so far this term giving the team 9 wins, 6 draws and 6 defeats.
Leeds United have lost just one of their last six league games against Wigan (W3 D2), losing 2-1 at Elland Road last season. Wigan have lost just one of their six away matches against Leeds in all competitions (W3 D2 L1), a 2-0 defeat in December 2013. Among the 78 teams that Leeds have faced at least five times in home games in all competitions, their lowest win record is against Wigan at just 17%. Wigan have won just two of their last 38 away matches in all competitions, though one of those wins was against Leeds last season. Leeds had 36 shots in their 2-1 home league defeat to Wigan last season - the most by a team in a Championship game last season. Wigan are looking to become the first team to beat Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds twice at Elland Road in the Championship.
Ref Watch - Tony Harrington
Interestingly, Tuesdays fourth official against Millwall will be the referee for Saturdays game against Wigan. Tony Harrington returns to Leeds after recently taking charge of the 3-3 draw v Cardiff in Dec. Notably not giving us a penalty when Costa was brought down, though he did give us a penalty later on in the game. Before the Cardiff game, he reffed us for our 2-1 home win against Bolton last season, giving us a penalty that Bamford put away. He also officiated our 0-2 Cup loss to Preston at home, giving them a penalty after two mins.
Leeds stats: G11 W3 D4 L4 showing 14 Yellows & no Reds. Awarding 3 penalties for & 2 against.
Wigan stats: G9 W4 D1 L4 showing 17 Yellows & 1 Red. Awarding 1 penalty for & 1 against.
Referee information from @El_Loco_Jo
Leeds Starting XI:
Casilla, Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski, White, Costa, Klich, Hernández, Harrison, Bamford
Subs: Meslier, Casey, Berardi, Shackleton, Poveda, Stevens, Roberts
