Leeds United vs Hull City. Sky Bet Championship.
Elland RoadAttendance35,156.
Friday 22 December 2017 11:14, UK
Leeds manager Thomas Christiansen will hope striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga is fit for the visit of Hull.
The German has missed the last six matches with a calf problem and, although he returned to training last week, he was not considered for the win at Norwich. A further week's recovery could put him in contention for a return to the squad.
Pablo Hernandez returned as a late substitute in that game after a hamstring problem but the form of Pawel Cibicki in his absence may mean he has to settle for a place on the bench again. Forward Caleb Ekuban has a broken bone in his foot which is likely to sideline him for another month.
A lengthy injury list continues to trouble Hull boss Nigel Adkins. Midfielders David Meyler, Kevin Stewart and Marcus Henriksen, and striker Fraizer Campbell all missed last weekend's defeat at Cardiff and doubts remain over whether all four will be fit to return.
Adkins did get defender Max Clark back for that game, although he was an unused substitute and may have to settle for a similar role at Elland Road. On a more positive note striker Abel Hernandez has begun outdoor training after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in August, but he is not likely to be involved until next month.
Leeds have scored at least twice in seven of their last eight home league matches against Hull (W5 D2 L1), failing to do so in December 2006 (0-0), 11 years to the day since this fixture.
The Tigers have won only three of their last 16 league meetings with the Whites (D5 L8), with two of those wins coming in the 2012/13 season.
Leeds have scored in every one of their last 10 league games and if they score in this match, they'll equal the longest-such record seen in the division this season - which is currently set by opponents Hull City (11 games between September-November).
Nouha Dicko has been involved in six goals in six previous Championship matches against Leeds (four goals, two assists), averaging a goal or assist every 55 minutes against the Whites; Dicko scored the winning goal at Elland Road for Wolves last season.
Hull City have conceded a league-high 16 goals in the final 15 minutes of matches this season.
Nigel Adkins has never lost a Championship meeting with Leeds in five previous matches (W4 D1 L0) - Thomas Christiansen with will be fifth different Leeds manager he's facing in six matches (Grayson, Warnock, McDermott and Milanic previously).
Three points for Leeds will lift them back into the play-off places this weekend, which is a great achievement considering how bad their form was a few weeks ago.
The defeat at Cardiff last weekend was a bit of a bump back down to earth for Nigel Adkins following the victory in his first game and to be honest I think it will be a similar result for them on Saturday.
David Prutton predicts: 1-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
