At £38 (or more) to watch 18th v 23rd in the Championship, Elland Road could witness probably the worst value-for-money fixture in the history of English football on Saturday.
Bolton are looking to get their first away win since Easter and only have three more attempts to avoid the embarrassment of going a whole calendar year without picking up three points on the road.
Leeds are on a poor run too, culminating in Monday’s first half shambles away at Brighton,ending up 4-0 down at the break.
It could be a tense afternoon in West Yorkshire.
Vital Quotes:
‘It’s a big week for us coming up. The games are all winnable and we need to pick up points to keep the pressure on the teams above.’
Neil Lennon, in his latest press conference. But probably in others too.
Leeds United Team News:
Giuseppe Bellusci returns from suspension and could replace Sol Bamba at the back. Steve Evans is set to manage Leeds but with Massimo Cellino’s record you never know.
Player to watch: Chris Wood
A lazy one – but he is United’s top scorer in a team that struggles to find the net at Elland Road. The Kiwi has bagged eight this season and just one could prove the difference on Saturday.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Liam Trotter could be back in the reckoning as he may have recovered from his hamstring injury. Otherwise it will be from the same set of players who lost last weekend.
Player to watch: Zach Clough
It could be a physical one again. Last week Clough struggled with that and never really seemed to get into the game. He has still yet to score away from home. If he could change that on Saturday it would be another milestone in the young kid’s development.
Match Facts & Stats
Last season, Leeds ran out 1-0 winners at Elland Road, as Jermaine Beckford upset a few people with wave. Ex-Trotter Stephen Warnock scored the goal.
Leeds have the fewest home goals in the division (13), but Bolton have yet to register an away win all season.
Leeds have drawn four of their last six home Championship games (with a single win over Bristol City, beating them 1-0)
Bolton sit rock bottom of the Championship away form table. The late comeback to get a draw at Wolves is their only point out of the last possible 18 on offer, and their fourth on the road all term.
Gary Madine is Bolton’s top scorer with six, Chris Wood for Leeds with eight.
Ref Watch:
Tony Harrington is the man in black. Never heard of him. If he’s consistent and doesn’t do anything daft, it’s good enough for me.
Match Prediction:
I have zero confidence in us away from home. Leeds were much better than us in the Cup game. I expect both teams to be largely poor and the hosts to come out on top with a scrappy goal.
Leeds 1-0 Bolton
Next Fixtures:
Both sides are in action again on Tuesday night. Bolton host Ipswich on the eve of the Burnden disaster anniversary, while Leeds travel down to Cardiff.