Leeds United welcome Jaap Stam’s Reading to Elland Road on Saturday. Here’s how they can beat The Royals.
Leeds United welcome Jaap Stam’s Reading to Elland Road on Saturday as Championship action returns following the international break. The visitors are winless in five and with pressure building on Stam The Royals will be desperate to pick up a result to ease the nerves.
The hosts have slipped down to fifth place in the table following back-to-back league defeats and will be keen to address recent shortcomings at the hands of Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday with three points on Saturday. With Stam’s side lacking confidence and momentum, here’s how Leeds can pick up the three points.
Exploit the full-backs
With news breaking in the week that Jordan Obita will miss the rest of the season after sustaining Cruciate Ligament damage (BBC Sport), Jaap Stam has a selection dilemma on his hands at the back. Tyler Blackett offers little going forward and has looked sloppy in possession, whilst his potential replacement, 19-year-old academy graduate Omar Richards, has only three substitute appearances to his name.
On the other flank, Welsh international Chris Gunter has been subject to considerable criticism from portions of the Reading fanbase following a string of lacklustre performances. Playing out of position as a wing-back, Gunter has cost Stam’s side several points this season, with Bristol City, Hull City and Norwich all exploiting the Welshman’s performances to take points. Utilising the pace of Kemar Roofe and Ezgjan Alioski will be crucial to picking up the three points.
Shut down the supply line
A lack of service into Icelandic target man Jon Dadi Bodvarsson has been a key reason for Reading’s struggles in front of goal this season. Bodvarsson netted just three times for Wolves last season and was hampered by a lack of supply, and after showing his attacking prowess with goals against Birmingham City and Hull City, cutting off the supply from Liam Kelly and co in midfield will go a long way to stumping Reading’s attacking threat.
Eunan O’Kane and Kalvin Phillips will need to come out on top of the midfield battle if The Whites are to win this game, as with the creative talents of Kelly, Leandro Bacuna and Dave Edwards, Reading still retain the ability to create a moment of magic from nothing. However, cut off the supply from midfield and Bodvarsson will have little impact on the game, leaving Leeds free to focus on their attacking duties.
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