Marcelo Bielsa is looking to propel his Leeds side to the top of the Championship (photo credit: Sky Sports).
Leeds United welcome a QPR side in indifferent form to Elland Road on Saturday. The Yorkshire outfit are searching for their fourth win on the bounce as Marcelo Bielsa looks to strengthen his side’s title credentials.
The omens are good for the hosts as QPR have won just one of their last eight clashes at Elland Road – that being a 1-0 victory in 2013.
The visitors will need to tighten up their leaky defence which has seen them concede at least two goals in their last four games which will be concerning as Leeds boast Kemar Roofe and Pablo Hernandez, who have 15 goals between them.
Teenager Jamie Shackleton is in line to make his second league start as usual right-back Stuart Dallas faces six weeks out with a fracture in his foot.
Bielsa confirmed his inclusion during his pre-match press conference and praised the club for bringing through young talent to step up when needed. He said,
“Honestly, I think [Luke] Ayling couldn’t play, Dallas played, now Dallas can’t and Shackleton will play.
“This is thanks to the work the academy did for the first team. We solves the absences in one way or another.”
Marco Bielsa
QPR boss Steve McClaren has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the clash. Defender Grant Hall could return after he missed the 3-2 home defeat to Hull with a slight knock.
A win for Leeds could see them climb to the top of the Championship if Norwich City fail to beat Bolton on Saturday.
Should QPR end their three-game winless run they could rise as high as eighth and propel themselves back into play-off contention.
The former England manager was under no illusions as to the task they face at the weekend. He said,
“We will need a lot of belief and a lot of courage – that’s what all teams need when you go to a place like Elland Road if you are to get a result there.”
Steve McClaren
A Leeds loss would see them remain in second although the gap between themselves and West Brom and Middlesbrough could be cut to just one point should the third and fourth placed sides respectively secure victory.
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