Leeds Utd v Ipswich Town Match Thread
Saturday 23rd December@12:30pm | Elland Road
Leeds have an opportunity to close the gap between themselves and Ipswich Town to seven points, when the Tractor boys roll up at Elland Road on Saturday lunchtime.
Both Leicester City and Ipswich Town are on target to smash Reading's record breaking 105 point total, achieved eighteen years ago, after extraordinary starts to their seasons, which have seen them storm clear of their Championship rivals with 55 and 52 points respectively from just 22 games.
Leeds have not been firing on all cylinders lately, but remain the only club to have have beaten the duo this season (with both victories coming away from home). They will need to up their game, if they are to overcome a free scoring Ipswich side that are averaging over two goals a game (47 goals in 22 games).
Leeds will be without the services of Sam Byram (hamstring), Stuart Dallas (leg) and Jamie Shackleton (glute), but could welcome back Junior Firpo after recovering from his troublesome hamstring injury. The 27yo has returned to training this week, and is in contention to start at the weekend.
This could allow Daniel Farke to finally rest Archie Gray, and play Djed Spence in his preferred left wing-back role. Whilst the 17yo has done a sterling job this season, he has already amassed over 2200 minutes of game time, and must be due a break.
Ian Povada is back in contention after returning from International duty with Columbia. The 23yo started twice from the South American outfit in wins against Venezuela and Mexico.
The Tractor boys will be without long term absentee Lee Evans. The Welsh midfielder is recovering from a knee injury. Apart from that, Manager Kieran McKenna has a full squad to pick from.