Stoke vs Leeds predictions: Visitors can get job done early in late Boxing Day kick off
- Stoke are 19th in the Championship and are without a win in eight games-
- Leeds are second in the table with six wins from their last eight
- Recommended Bet: Leeds to win half-time/full-time
Narcis Pelach is under pressure at Stoke after his side continued their poor form with a 2-0 defeat at 10-man Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, which means that they have now lost four of their last five games.
Leeds ran out as easy 4-0 winners at home to Oxford and are unbeaten in their four league games in December, winning three times and drawing once.
Team news
Stoke will be without the injured Enda Stevens, Ben Pearson and Million Manhoef for this Boxing Day fixture.
Ashley Phillips missed the defeat at Sheffield Wednesday due to illness and could be back in contention for the Potters.
Leeds were without the injured Max Wober, Junior Firpo, Ilia Gruev and Joe Gelhardt for the victory against Oxford.
The stats
Stoke have only won three of their 18 games since Pelach took charge in September, drawing seven times and losing eight.
Leeds have been struggling on the road, winning only one of their last seven away matches.
The hosts are without a victory from their last four home games, drawing three and losing once.
Leeds have been ahead at the break in each of their last four wins.
Prediction
Stoke could be looking at another managerial change, with Pelach’s dismal record continuing in a season that has already seen them sack Steven Schumacher.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Di'Shon Bernard was sent off in the first half of Saturday’s match, but the Potters could not take advantage against 10-men and, having gone two goals behind, saw Tom Cannon miss a late penalty.
With Stoke only four points clear of the relegation zone going into Boxing Day, the situation could come to a head if they suffer defeat against Leeds.
The visitors really need to improve their away record, with Daniel Farke’s team enjoying much of their success this season based on their excellent form at Elland Road, where they have won 10 of their 12 league games.
This looks like the perfect fixture to do just that and with Leeds being the Championship top scorers with 41 goals, they have the firepower to secure the points relatively early in this contest.
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