Leeds United take on QPR at Loftus Road on Friday night in their penultimate Championship match with the fight to beat Ipswich Town to second place underway.
Leeds come into the game after picking up a superb 4-3 win over Middlesbrough on Monday night. The Whites are in action for the second time in just four days, going to Loftus Road to face struggling QPR.
A schedule that earned criticism from Leeds boss Daniel Farke during Thursday’s press conference. The Elland Road manager bemoaned the decision to play against Middlesbrough only a few days before QPR.
Nevertheless, Leeds take on a QPR side that have improved under the guidance of Marti Cifuentes. The Spanish manager has taken the London outfit to 18th in the Championship, closing in on league safety.
A win would see QPR confirm their status in England’s second tier, with the gap between themselves and Birmingham City in 22nd place is six points. They look pretty safe while Leeds desperately need a win.
Farke had a number of decisions to make to his Leeds side ahead of the game. Whether Patrick Bamford, who scored against Middlesbrough on Monday, would be fit after picking up a knock to his knee.
Daniel Farke names Leeds United XI to take on QPR
Farke also had to make a decision on whether to make changes given the quick turnaround. But, he is without a number of important players. Dan James being one, with the Wales winger suffering injury at The Riverside.
Along with James, Leeds are without Connor Roberts, Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas. But, defender Charlie Cresswell is back in the squad. Farke made one change to Monday’s outfit, Bamford missing out.
It sees Sam Byram continue on the right of the defence after Farke joked he had put him in an ice bath for 48 hours. Archie Gray remains in midfield, ahead of £5m man Glen Kamara who stays on the bench.
The one change though, sees Bamford miss out on Friday night and Joel Piroe coming into the starting line-up. Joe Gelhardt is on the bench alongside Mateo Joseph.
Line-up: Illan Meslier; Sam Byram, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Junior Firpo; Ilia Gruev, Archie Gray; Willy Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville; Joel Piroe.
Dom Matteo on whether Leeds will be promoted automatically
A massive game then that Leeds have to win to pile the pressure on Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich. Dom Matteo gave his take on the race for promotion, with Ipswich facing Hull City on Saturday evening.
Matteo believes Leeds will win the next two games and that Ipswich will drop points in their three remaining matches, with Coventry up next after the tricky clash at Hull for Ipswich – then Huddersfield.
It all starts on Frirday with Leeds boasting the chance to go four clear of Ipswich and put a real marker down for The Tractor Boys to follow in 24 hours. But, they will have to do it without Bamford.