'Would be typical' – Stoke City vs Leeds United prediction: The72
Yesterday at 03:41 AM
Leeds United and Stoke City meet in the Championship on Boxing Day with the sides enduring very different seasons.
Leeds United are in fine form going into Christmas. They have picked up 10 points from their last four games and are comfortably the league’s highest scorers with 41 goals.
Daniel Farke’s side are three points adrift of Sheffield United and cannot afford to drop points with Burnley and Sunderland hot on their trail.
Last time out, the Whites ran out comfortable winners at home to Oxford United. They beat the U’s 4-0 at Elland Road in yet another impressive performance.
Stoke City meanwhile are having another poor season. The Potters are drifting down the table with Narcis Pelach under growing pressure despite only being 17 games into his tenure.
Stoke have lost four of their last five games and last weekend’s loss to Sheffield Wednesday summed up their season so far. The 2-0 defeat came against 10 men and also saw Tom Cannon miss a penalty.
Here, a handful of our writers make their predictions for the game…
Charlie Hodgson
“Leeds United are clear favourites for this one. While they are partial to the odd poor result, they tend to dominate most games and have the quality to beat anyone in this league.
“Stoke City on the other hand are in a particularly bad state. This seems to happen to them every year but this year feels even worse as they are sleepwalking toward a relegation battle.
“Only one team are winning this game for me. Leeds are simply better than Stoke, who despite being at home may be reduced to damage limitations should Leeds find their best form.”
Prediction: Stoke City 0-3 Leeds United
James Ray
“There’s no hiding who the momentum is with coming into this one.
“Stoke City are stuck in a rotten run of form and pressure is growing on Narcis Pelach after some promising early signs. As for Leeds United, they’re flying under Daniel Farke and should be doing all they can to avoid a banana skin here.
“Championship football loves to throw up a surprise though and some may feel it would be typical for Stoke to go and win this.
“However, I just don’t see it happening. The pressure grows on Pelach with another loss here.”
Prediction: Stoke City 0-2 Leeds United
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