Football Bet of the Day: Championship’s top two can cancel each other out

There’s a mouthwatering clash to look forward to under the lights at Elland Road on Friday night, as second-place Leeds United host Championship frontrunners Leicester City.

These have arguably been the two standout teams in the second tier this season and there was little to choose between them when they met at the King Power Stadium earlier in the campaign.

An intense game awaits at Elland Road and there are bound to be fireworks but in the end, these strong sides might well have to settle for a stalemate.

Leeds are the form side in the Championship after what has been a perfect start to 2024 for the West Yorkshire outfit.

The Whites are on an eight-game winning streak in the league and have only conceded a single going in that spell.

Joe Rodon’s arrival from Tottenham on loan has been a revelation for Leeds, while fellow Wales international Ethan Ampadu dropping back from midfield to partner his countryman also improved Leeds greatly in defence.

That run has thrust Daniel Farke’s side right back in the picture for automatic promotion, when over the festive period after defeats at Preston and West Brom, it had looked like Leeds would have to settle for a likely playoff place.

Sat in second place in the standings after 33 games, with nine points between themselves and frontrunners Leicester, confidence will be high in the Leeds camp going into this one.

As the Foxes, they head north hoping to inflict Leeds’ first home defeat of the season but they do so on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat on home soil to Middlesbrough.

Enzo Maresca’s side had been on a five-game winning streak until that defeat to Boro, so there will be no cause for panic after a blip last time out.

A Georginio Rutter goal from close range was the difference between these sides earlier in the season at the King Power.

The Foxes had their chances in that game and if it had finished all square at the full-time whistle there would have been few complaints from either manager.

Leicester’s last two trips to Elland Road have ended in 1-1 draws and another stalemate between these sides would come as little surprise.

A draw on the night would not be a disaster for either team, while the onus is more on Leeds to push for the victory on home soil to keep their winning record going and try to push clear of fellow automatic promotion contenders Ipswich Town and Southampton.

Friday’s high-pressure game in Beeston is likely to be a cagey affair and it’s one that could well end in a stalemate, which is available at 13/5 with this latest Football Bet of the Day.

Check out our other Football Bets of the Day here.