Rotherham United vs Leeds United; Sky Bet Championship
Rotherham United vs Leeds United. Sky Bet Championship.
New York StadiumAttendance11,259.
Rotherham vs Leeds preview
Friday 25 January 2019 10:52, UK
Rotherham have concerns on defensive duo Semi Ajayi and Clark Robertson for the visit of Championship leaders Leeds.
Ajayi has a knee injury and Robertson an ankle problem, both picked up in training this week. Midfielder Richie Towell has been laid low with illness but should be fit to play, with boss Paul Warne admitting this week that he has failed to turn his loan deal into a permanent one this month.
Forward Jamie Proctor (hip) and midfielders Ryan Williams (hamstring) and Joe Newell (groin) are injured and will play no part.
Goalkeeper Kiko Casilla will make his Leeds debut at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, replacing Bailey Peacock-Farrell, following his move from Real Madrid last week. Kalvin Phillips is back from a ban to slot in at centre-back in the absence of the suspended Pontus Jansson, who was sent off at Stoke.
Defender Gaetano Berardi's comeback from injury suffered a setback when he sustained a hamstring problem in an under-23s game on Monday night. Playmaker Izzy Brown (hamstring) is not yet ready for first-team contention, while left-back Barry Douglas (muscle), winger Stuart Dallas (foot) and striker Patrick Bamford (knee) are all closing in on a return to fitness.
Opta stats
Rotherham have lost their last three league matches against Leeds; they last lost four in a row back in December 1960.
Leeds have lost three of their last four away games in all competitions versus Rotherham, winning the other in November 2016 (1-2).
Leeds United are the first team in the second-tier to score in each of their opening 14 away games within a single season since Blackburn Rovers did so back during the 1984-85 campaign (15).
Rotherham United have won a league high 84% of their points in the Championship this season at home (21/25).
Only Millwall (14) have conceded more goals in the final 10 minutes of matches this season in the Championship than Rotherham United (11).
Leeds United's Pablo Hernandez's seven goals and 10 assists in the Championship this season have been worth 18 points for the league leaders, a joint-high in the division alongside Blackburn's Bradley Dack (14 - 10 goals, 4 assists).
Prutton's prediction
Rotherham were drawing too many games until not too long ago, but now most of those draws seem to be turning into defeats, and they have slipped down to just above the relegation zone as a result.
Leeds will see this as a great opportunity to get back to winning ways. Despite Rotherham's excellent home form, Marcelo Bielsa's side will have too much quality for them.
David Prutton predicts: 1-2 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
