City Travel To Leeds

Bit of an hostile place to go is Elland Road, but City are there this weekend and the aim will be to get something from the game to further ease our relegation worries.

But Leeds will be doing their upmost to grab a win and keep up their challenge for a play-off place.

Vital Quotes:

City gaffer Keith Millen…
“This is a really good game for us to have at this time.

“There are sure to be some tired legs after the game on Wednesday night, but that won’t matter, because the lads will be really up for Leeds away.

“It’s one of those fixtures you look for at the start of the season and I won’t have to motivate the players for this one.

“Leeds are a big, big club with a great tradition and a fantastic support and the atmosphere will be excellent.

“Our boys tend to rise to the big occasion and that’s why this is the ideal game for us after the massive high of winning at Swansea. Our fans are travelling in numbers and we owe it to them and to ourselves to put on another good show.

“The lads need to trust in their fitness and take the game to Leeds like they took it to Swansea in the last game.”

Leeds United Team News:

Leeds strikers Sanchez Watt and Ross McCormack could return to the squad for the home clash with Bristol City.
Watt, on loan from Arsenal, has missed the last four games due to a hamstring problem while McCormack has struggled for full fitness all season, making only one start since arriving in the summer.

Another summer signing, Billy Paynter, is in contention after stepping off the bench against Hull in midweek while a group of players, including Lloyd Sam, proved their fitness in a behind closed doors friendly against Liverpool.

But midfielder Amdy Faye is still doubtful with the hamstring problem that forced him off in last weekend’s win at Coventry and kept him out of the midweek clash with Hull.

Manager Simon Grayson recalled Alex Bruce on Tuesday night and must decide whether to stick with him alongside on-loan Bolton defender Andy O’Brien or recall Neill Collins.

Player to watch: Luciano Becchio

Five goals and three assists means he is one for the City defence to keep an eye on.

Bristol City Team News:

Jonathan Stead, Danny Rose and Jamie McAllister are doubts for City.

Midweek match-winner Stead injured an ankle against Swansea, while on-loan winger Rose missed the trip to south Wales with a similar problem.

McAllister played at the Liberty Stadium despite a bout of illness and the full-back is still feeling the effects of the bug.

However, boss Keith Millen is hopeful the trio will recover in time for the trip to west Yorkshire.

‘Jonathan`s ankle is an ongoing problem. He`s gone for a shot and kicked the ground I think but hopefully he`ll be okay,” said Millen.

‘Jamie McAllister had a bug before the game and that could very well clear up in the next 24 hours, while Danny Rose`s ankle wasn`t too bad and he will be desperate to play, so I`m hopeful of having having everyone fit and a full squad to choose from.”

Player to watch: David James

Will no doubt be kept busy but he is improving every week and has saved us points on more than one occasion.

Match Facts & Stats

Leeds won 2-0 when these clubs last met in the league, in April 1977, and were unbeaten in their previous six matches against City prior to that.

Leeds have taken seven points from the last available nine.

Championship games involving Leeds this season have generated 58 goals – more than any other team’s matches.

A victory for United would give boss Simon Grayson the 100th league win of his managerial career.

Bristol City are fifth in the Championship’s form table based on the last six matches.

A defeat would be the club’s 500th away loss in the second tier.

If selected, midfielder Cole Skuse will be making his 200th league appearance.