Leeds vs Stoke Prediction: Whites to make it four in a row

Leeds United look to have put their troubles behind them as they have won three games on the bounce in the Championship. The Whites are top of the table with 91 points, sitting five points comfortably inside the automatic promotion places. They are back in action on Monday (15:00, Sky Sports Main Event) as they host Stoke City at Elland Road.

The Potters have been in good form in recent weeks, and their victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Friday has put them seven points clear of the relegation zone with three games left to play. Read on for my Leeds vs Stoke predictions, supported by the latest team news and match odds. 

Football Odds

Team News

Pascal Struijk and Joe Rothwell (both foot) are out injured for Leeds and the former is not going to feature for the rest of the campaign.

After securing a clean sheet at Oxford United on Friday, Leeds boss Daniel Farke will likely name the same back four of Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Junior Firpo, to shield Karl Darlow in goal.

Bogle teed up Manor Solomon for his ninth league goal of the season and he should maintain his place in attack, alongside Brenden Aaronson, Wilfried Gnonto and Joel Piroe - although Dan James is likely to push for a recall to the XI on the right flank.

In light of Rothwell's absence and Ampadu's return to defence, Ilia Gruev shall continue to partner Ao Tanaka in the engine room.

Stoke boss Mark Robins is having to contend with some injuries of his own as defensive options Michael Rose and Enda Stevens are both unavailable, while midfielder Sol Sidibe is also ruled out.

Eric Bocat is another doubt to feature after being forced off against Wednesday last time out after just 13 minutes. Josh Wilson-Esbrand was fit to make the bench on Friday and he may be pushing to return to the team sheet on Monday.

Sam Gallagher led the line on the victory over the Owls and he should keep his place for the trip to Yorkshire. Million Manhoef was on the scoresheet so he's unlikely to be dropped, and he is expected to line up besides Lewis Baker and Bae Jun-ho.

Leeds vs Stoke Odds

Leeds are the 1/4 favourites here because they are top of the league and have won 76% (16/21) of their league fixtures at Elland Road. You will find better value in backing them to win to nil at 5/6 (or an implied chance of 54.5%), which they have accomplished in 57% (12/21) of their home matches this term.

Half of the Whites' past six outings in the second tier ended in a stalemate, while Stoke have drawn two of their previous four games. It's 9/2 for the teams to share the spoils in LS11.

Stoke have won three of their last five matches in the Championship and they are 12/1 to stun the table-toppers.

Joel Piroe has scored 15 goals in the league this season, including a brace when the two teams met in the Potteries back in December. He is the 1/1 favourite to strike anytime on Monday.

Leeds to win 2-0 @ 5/1

My first prediction is a bit adventurous but I do like the price. I'm backing a correct score here and for Leeds to win 2-0. Farke's men have rediscovered their rhythm to put them in the driving seat of the promotion race with three wins on the bounce.

They have been an incredibly strong force at Elland Road, losing just one of their 21 fixtures here, while they have been victorious in 16 of them. Stoke have been in good form, but the four wins from their last seven matches have come against teams ranked 10th or lower.

The Potters are going to face a huge test in Yorkshire against the league leaders, and I think they will fall to a defeat. It won't be catastrophic because of the good form they have been in over the last few weeks, but it won't be pretty if teams below them do pick up points.

I've picked 2-0 because Leeds have won by this scoreline on 10 occasions this campaign, including their victory against Stoke back in December. The Potters's recent results suggest they can make this a tough game for the Whites, but the hosts' quality should be able to shine through at Elland Road, taking them one step closer back to the Premier League.

Under 2.5 goals @ 6/5

Following on from the points I made above, I think under 2.5 goals could be a sensible selection for this contest. There have been fewer than three goals in 56% (24/43) of Leeds' Championship fixtures this term, including nine of their home clashes.

For Stoke, under 2.5 goals has been a successful bet in 53% (23/43) of their league games this season. It has been a winning selection in 13 of their away trips, including each of their previous three.

The Potters come into Monday's match off the back of four-straight games in which under 2.5 goals has landed.

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