Npower Championship: Leeds United v Bristol City

Leeds United could move into the play-off places with a win over struggling Bristol City when the two sides clash at Elland Road on Saturday.

Leeds have adapted well to life in the Championship so far and sit comfortably in eighth spot, which must be pleasing to the fans and the board alike. The only thing to fix now it seems is their consistency at home – their home record emphasises this point; 3-1-4 14/18, and it’s perhaps surprising that a team that has conceded the most goals at home find themselves on the edge of the play-off zone.

Scoring goals is the answer. Other than QPR (30), and Cardiff City, Derby County & Watford (all 29), Leeds have scored more than any other team in the league (home & away combined).

Strikers Davide Somma (6 goals) & Luciano Becchio (5 goals, 3 assists) spearhead their attack, and are backed up by the artillery in the form of Jonathan Howson (5 goals, 4 assists), Bradley Johnson (3 goals, 2 assists), with creativity being also supplied by Robert Snodgrass (2 goals, 3 assists) and ex-Birmingham City Neil Kilkenny (3 assists) – to name but a few. There are five other different goalscorers and four other players credited with assists, such is their power up front.

But they also leak goals too, and this is evident in the fact that seven of their eight home matches have resulted in over 2.5 goals.

Bristol City have their work cut out when they make the trip up north, but they have certainly pulled their socks up of late with impressive away wins over Middlesbrough 2-1 and Swansea City 1-0 in midweek, and they have duly climbed out of the relegation spots for now.

The Robins are in fact placed 6^th in terms of current form, with Leeds United placed in 8^th, so we’re set for a match with both teams seemingly experiencing an upturn in performance.

Bristol City’s away record now reads a healthier 3-2-3 9/10, and they are now on a five match unbeaten run. In addition, they’ve scored in each of their last six matches.

Striker Jonathan Stead (4 goals, 2 assists), and midfielders Marvin Elliott (3 goals, 1 assist) & Albert Adomah (3 goals, 2 assists) have provided the bulk of their end product, and I’m confident they can be relied upon to score at least one goal between them given Leeds’ shaky defence.

The Verdict: With both teams playing well and the attacking personnel on the pitch, I fully expect there to be goals at Elland Road today.

Main Pick: Over 2.5 @ 1.92 with Pinnacle Sports or 1.85 with bet365

Side Bet: I like the look of Jonathan Stead to score anytime @ 3.40 with bet365 given the fact that he’s scored 4 of his 5 goals away from home (1 goal for Ipswich Town).