Leeds United sit at the summit of the Championship, and confidence is surging through the team following the 7-0 hammering they handed out to Cardiff City last weekend. Daniel Farke’s side will now look to consolidate their position in the table and pick up more points before the two games against their promotion rivals Sunderland and Sheffield United towards the end of February. However, Leeds have two tough away fixtures before them, and it will start with a trip to the Coventry Building Society Arena tonight. They are one of the in-form teams of the Championship at the moment who are playing well and winning games under new manager Frank Lampard, who took charge in November. This is one game where Leeds could easily slip up, and Farke hopes his side would avoid that.
The Whites forward shook off their inability to convert big chances consistently by putting Cardiff through the sword on Saturday. Joel Piroe got back to form with two goals and Wilfried Gnonto and Mateo Joseph boosted their waning confidence by getting on the scoresheet as well.
Leeds are outperforming themselves at this stage of the campaign compared to last term and if last season is an indicator, they are well on their way to earning promotion to the Premier League.
However, nothing has been done yet, and Leeds still have 16 games to negotiate before they can celebrate returning to the top flight at the end of the season.
February will be a tricky month for Leeds due to the games against Sunderland and Sheffield United. However, trips to Coventry and Watford will not be any easier.
Leeds United have to deal with the Frank Lampard impact
Lampard took charge of Coventry City towards the end of November following a run of four games without a win. His impact was not immediate and the new manager only won three of his first nine Championship games.
However, the results have steadily improved and Coventry have hit form in the last couple of weeks, winning their last four games including their first league win away at Swansea City since 1981.
The new Coventry boss’ impact is now being felt on the results and they will back themselves to get a result against Leeds at home later in the evening today.
Lampard has tightened up the defence and they have conceded just one goal in their last four games in the Championship while scoring six times.
Coventry will likely sit deep against the top scorers of the Championship tonight and look to hit them on the break. Leeds will have to go into the game knowing that it won’t be easy to break down the home side’s defence.
Leeds will look to again dominate the ball but the forwards need to be more patient and expect a very different game from the one they played against Cardiff City last weekend.
The Whites are still the better side
Coventry are in good form and Lampard’s impact is there for all to see. Leeds will find it hard to break them and get all three points tonight but the Whites are still the better side.
The Yorkshire giants have been the most consistent team in the Championship this season and have been at the top of the league table for a while.
Coventry have climbed up to eleventh in the league and Lampard’s impact has boosted their chances of sneaking into the playoff spots at the end of the season.
However, a Leeds side playing at their best should beat Coventry away from home, and all the underlying numbers of the season favour the away side.
Farke and his Leeds players will not take Coventry lightly due to their recent form and they will pose a tough challenge to the Whites tonight at their home ground.
However, Leeds will back themselves to get a positive result and ensure they remain at the summit of the Championship standings.
