Predicting Leeds’s next five results: FA Cup defeat but three wins

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Leeds United head into an absolutely vital period of their season from Boxing Day, with three promotion rivals ahead in their next four league games. They also face Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side will be hoping to extend their advantage over the chasing pack in the Championship, particularly after losing last time out at Fulham.

With that in mind, here are TBR’s predictions for their next five results…

Leeds 2-1 Preston North End

Leeds should bounce back from their defeat at Fulham. But it should not surprise anyone if the Whites do not make it easy for themselves. Preston have only scored six league goals on their travels, but they may add a seventh and set up a nervy finish.

Birmingham 0-1 Leeds

Leeds have not won at St Andrew’s since March 2017. It should be more hard work for Bielsa’s men, but this could be the kind of game where the Whites prove a point by digging in and securing a narrow win.

West Brom 1-1 Leeds

Table-toppers West Brom have not lost at home. But they have drawn five of their 12 games at the Hawthorns. Leeds will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the 4-1 defeat they suffered at the same ground last year. A point would really not be a bad result.

Arsenal 2-0 Leeds

It will be fascinating to see how Arsenal fare under Mikel Arteta. And it will be intriguing to see where the FA Cup features on their list of priorities. It looks to be a good opportunity for the Gunners to lift some of the league gloom and Leeds may not be against an early cup exit.

But do not be surprised if this tie provides one of the third round’s upsets either.

Leeds 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday are definitely promotion contenders. The Owls sit third and have won four of their last five. However, they have lost five away games this term. And this game seems somewhat reminiscent of Leeds’s clash with Derby at a similar stage of last season when the Whites produced one of their best performances under Bielsa to see off a promotion rival.