Leeds vs Blackburn preview: Championship clash live on Sky Sports red button
Watch live on Sky Sports red button and the mobile app from 2.55pm on Boxing Day.
Monday 24 December 2018 12:58, UK
Sky Bet Championship leaders Leeds could again be without striker Patrick Bamford for the Boxing Day match against Blackburn.
Bamford, who had just returned to the squad following an injury lay-off, suffered a knee problem in training and missed Sunday's 3-2 comeback win at Aston Villa, but Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa hopes it will not prove a long-term issue. Defender Barry Douglas felt ill during the warm-up at Villa Park and was replaced in the starting XI by Leif Davis for the teenager to make his debut.
Midfielder Izzy Brown (hamstring) remains sidelined, along with captain Liam Cooper (knee) and fellow defender Gaetano Berardi (hamstring). Winger Stuart Dallas (foot) is also still out while forward Samuel Saiz will play no further part for Leeds before his January loan switch to Getafe.
Blackburn could again be without midfielder Craig Conway for the trip to West Yorkshire. Conway has been sidelined by a muscle problem and was replaced in the starting XI by Adam Armstrong for the 1-0 home defeat against Norwich.
Midfielder Jack Rodwell returned to the matchday squad after missing Rovers' last three fixtures because of concussion, so could come into contention. Winger Elliott Bennett continues to be assessed on a foot injury, while midfielder Ben Gladwin and forward Dominic Samuel remain sidelined with respective knee issues.
Opta stats
Leeds United were defeated 2-1 by Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park earlier this season, in October - it was the Whites' first league away defeat of the season after remaining unbeaten in their opening six.
Leeds United have won both of their last two competitive meetings with Blackburn at Elland Road (both in 2016-17), thanks to winning goals coming in the 85th minute or later.
Leeds United have won their last two Boxing Day games, 2-1 vs Burton in 2017 and 4-1 vs Preston in 2016.
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Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray has won six of his seven Boxing Day matches as a manager (L1) - all six wins were at home, with his only away match ending in defeat at Chelsea as West Brom manager in 2008.
Leeds have lost just one of their last 15 home Championship matches (W10 D4), a 1-2 defeat to Birmingham City in September.
Leeds and Blackburn last faced on Boxing Day during the 1992-93 Premier League campaign - Rovers won 3-1 with goals from Jason Wilcox and an Alan Shearer brace.
Prutton's prediction
What a comeback from Leeds at Villa Park on Sunday. From two goals down they wrestled the game back and put themselves top on Christmas Day thanks to that last-gasp Kemar Roofe strike.
Blackburn's season has tailed off a little and while they shouldn't drift too close to the relegation zone, it appears that a play-off push will be beyond them. Leeds win for me.
David Prutton predicts: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
