- Leicester City travel to face Leeds United on Friday (8pm kick-off)
- The Whites are second in the Sky Bet Championship as things stand
- Daniel Farke’s side are enjoying an eight-match winning streak
- Joe Donnohue of the Yorkshire Evening Post previews the match from Leeds’ perspective
Flying high in the Sky Bet Championship, the Whites’ next assignment is to host league leaders Leicester City in a first versus second battle at Elland Road on Friday evening (8pm kick-off), with nine points currently separating the sides.
Ahead of that showdown, Donnohue shared his thoughts on a sensational start to 2024 for the Yorkshire club, with their current winning streak unmatched in the division, while also progressing into the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round.
“It’s been an incredible run for Leeds and Daniel Farke,” he began. “Eight wins on the bounce since the turn of the year in the Championship. In seven of those, they’ve managed to get clean sheets and they just really haven’t looked like conceding or losing games.
“Even in the tougher matches of that run, they’ve been really professional. I think about the Plymouth game last weekend and they are a really organised outfit and quite good going forward, especially at Home Park. But Leeds managed to put them to the sword and keep them out.
“The mood is very buoyant and the entire fanbase is really relishing Friday night. If Leeds win, the gap will be down to six points. Considering it was 17 points a matter of weeks ago, you can understand why people are starting to wonder.
“Promotion is the be all and end all. If Leeds are able to win and put additional pressure on Leicester, then the fans will really start to believe that this season is not a write off, as they thought after losing back-to-back to Preston and West Brom over Christmas.”
The latest victory came away to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Wilfried Gnonto and Georginio Rutter, two players who have had significant impacts in recent weeks, demonstrating the growing confidence within the whole squad.
“They’ve won each of the last five without conceding,” the journalist continued. “They had a really comprehensive victory against Swansea. They really put that game to bed in the first half and then there’s been other games this calendar year – Cardiff they won 3-0 and just brushed them aside.
“Birmingham at home, which was the beginning of this run, was very professional. Even the players that weren’t scoring and contributing in the first half of the season, like Patrick Bamford, Wilfried Gnonto and Ilia Gruev, have come into the team and played prominent roles. Gnonto has got five in his last five and an assist. From an opponent’s perspective, you can’t help but look and feel that there are threats everywhere in this team.
“The partnership in central defence of Ethan Ampadu – who has filled in for Pascal Struijk, dropping back from central midfield – and Joe Rodon has been very solid. The two know each other’s games very well having played with each other for Wales.
“At the other end of the pitch, Georginio Rutter has played as the no.9, now as the no.10, and is such a creative lynchpin for the team. Then Crysencio Summerville has been directly involved in 25 goals this season in all competitions.
“With 16 goals and nine assists, he’s a dual threat. I’m not sure anyone could have seen that coming. Whenever he gets on the ball, cutting inside from the left flank and getting into the box, if he gets it on target, there’s a very good chance of finding the net.”
All times GMT.