Leeds United 1/2 to beat Stoke City in Thursday’s Championship showdown

Competition: Championship

Market: Leeds United win

Odds: 1/2 @ Bet 365

Hoping to move one step closer to a Premier League return this summer, Leeds will welcome Stoke to an empty Elland Road on Thursday evening.

Starting with the hosts, despite dropping two points against relegation scrappers Luton on home soil last week, Leeds really bounced back over the weekend and are inching towards a Premier League return. Picking up a thumping 3-1 win away at a struggling Blackburn and watching Patrick Bamford extend on his post-lockdown tally, Marcelo Bielsa’s men have lost just one of their last 10 Championship outings and have continued on a stunning unbeaten record at Elland Road. Including what was a thumping 3-0 romp against play-off contenders Fulham last month, the former Napoli boss has seen his side collect 13 points over their last five appearances in West Yorkshire. Picking up another thumping 3-0 win when the two sides faced off on Championship duties earlier in the season, Leeds will be looking to make another statement in midweek.

As for the visitors, while Stoke may have picked up what was a much-needed 4-0 romp against relegation scrappers Barnsley over the weekend, the Potters are a side desperate seeking some stability under new boss Michael O’Neill. Still firmly looking over their shoulder at the bottom-three, the former Northern Ireland coach will be demanding his side make some immediate alterations on the road. Hit with what was an abysmal 3-0 hammering away at Wigan in their last contest away from the BET365 Stadium, Stoke have now failed to win any of their previous six Championship matches on their travels. With that run highlighted by 4-0 and 4-2 defeats against Derby and QPR prior to the break, we’re backing what should be another long evening on the road for the relegation scrappers.

Bet: Leeds United 1/2 to beat Stoke City in Thursday’s Championship showdown @ Bet 365