Leeds United v Stoke City *** Matchday Thread***

[BelfastAndy]

Monday 21st April 3:00pm | Elland Road

Leeds United welcome Stoke City to Elland Road on Easter Monday knowing promotion to the Premier League could be sealed before the day is out. After grinding out a crucial 1-0 victory away at Oxford United on Good Friday, the Whites now sit on the brink. Three more points could push them over the line if Sheffield United drop points away at Burnley later in the evening. For Daniel Farke?s side, the mission is clear: take care of their own business and let the rest unfold.

Standing in their way are a rejuvenated Stoke City side who?ve enjoyed an impressive resurgence under Mark Robins. Consecutive wins over Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday have lifted the Potters to 16th and comfortably away from the relegation scrap. Their strong finish to the campaign has been built on a solid back four and an energetic forward line, and they?ll be coming to Elland Road with confidence and nothing to lose.

Farke has called on Leeds supporters to bring the noise for what could be a defining moment in the club?s season. And there?s good news on the injury front too, with Dan James making his return from a hamstring issue in the final stages at Oxford. While it?s unclear whether he?s ready to start, his presence in the squad is a huge lift. In his absence, Wilfried Gnonto has stepped up on the right flank and will probably be trusted again from the off.

Leeds, however, are still managing key injuries. Joe Rothwell remains out, meaning Ilia Gruev and Ao Tanaka are likely to start a fourth consecutive match together in midfield. Pascal Struijk is out for the season, so Ethan Ampadu will continue alongside Joe Rodon at centre-back, with Karl Darlow again starting in goal. Farke praised Darlow?s composure after Friday?s clean sheet, noting his impact in steadying the defence during a crucial run-in.

Stoke are contending with a left-back crisis after Jordan Thompson was stretchered off on Friday and Eric Bocat picked up a knock. With Josh Wilson-Esbrand not fully fit and Enda Stevens also sidelined, Robins may need to reshuffle his defence. That said, the Potters? recent defensive form has been strong, and the likes of Junior Tchamadeu, Ben Wilmot and Ashley Phillips are likely to be called upon again. January signing Ali Al-Hamadi should continue up front after an impressive run.

Elland Road is set for a dramatic afternoon as the final act of the Easter double-header plays out. With promotion within reach, Leeds must stay focused and finish the job against a dangerous Stoke side. Whatever happens in the later kick-off between Sheffield United and Burnley, the priority for Leeds is simple: win, and they?re nearly there. The rest may just take care of itself.

MOT. Massive game!!

Credit: MOTforum.com

[Monaco_Totty]

Inertia, 1 2 & 3 !
Newtons first law of motion states that an object at rest stays at rest & an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

1.The ability to remain focused & make sound decisions under pressure even when the game is close or the pressure is on is a valuable skill for keepers, for sure.
2. Likewise its not wise for outfield players to go gung-ho hunting for the kill, particularly with our players varied skill-sets & their individual mind-sets too, imo.
3. A consistent performance is essential for sustained success in football, so mentally its now important to remain in familiar tactical patterns of thinking over the 90+ mins, so more of the same to see this season out now please & no gung-ho stuff please.

Each to their own in how we view Leeds play as I know some may prefer style & enjoyment over our results whilst for others its only about the result however we win 'em.

Just gotta keep protecting a lead, keep a clean sheet & close the game down no matter what the pressures using our disciplined set of tempo choices that DF demands using all our mental & physical inertia attributes developed thus far.

Gonna need that 'whole' team squad effort as Stoke aint got nuffink to lose.👍

[norfolk white]

Anyone else starting to get nervous already, no wonder the players get the jitters.

[BelfastAndy]

[norfolk white]

No James, not even on the bench

[BelfastAndy]

Clearly wasn't fit on Friday

[asturianblanco]

stream anyone?

[BelfastAndy]

[ozleeds]

https://www.vipbox.lc/football/leeds...ke-city-1-live

https://vivosoccer.xyz/vivo1/7.php


https://www.thestreamhub.net/leeds-united-x-stoke-city/


https://foreignstreams.site/mtn-72/tv1

[ozleeds]

Piroe finally did something