Stoke v Leeds
Saturday 24th August 1500hrs
Football – England – Championship
Pick Leeds
Bookmaker Paddypower
Odds: 23/20 (odds taken 21.00 GMT, Friday 23 August)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51/20 | 12/5 | 11/10 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on August 23, 2019 at 21.00)
It’s top versus bottom in the Championship on Saturday as Stoke face Leeds with the home team desperate for their first points of the season – can they surprised the leaders?
English Championship Betting at Paddypower
Stoke Preview – Can Stoke put poor start behind them and get first win of the season?
Having been relegated from the Premier League in 2017/18, the hope was Stoke would be well equipped to bounce straight back up. The club recruited a manager with considerable experience in this league and backed him with significant sums. It was obvious from an early stage that they would be consigned to another year in this division even after changing managers. Nathan Jones was given the opportunity of rebuilding the team for this season but it’s been a real struggle to put it mildly. Stoke are currently bottom of the Championship having lost three of their four games this season. Considering the money they have spent it’s simply unacceptable and you begin to think there is something deeply wrong. Their only point thus far came in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Derby last Saturday.
The positives to take from their season so far is that they have been able to score goals. Stoke have found the net in all five games – including in a 1-0 win in the EFL Cup. Unfortunately, that is the only game they have managed to keep a clean sheet. In the league it’s been a completely different story with 10 goals conceded in four matches. Unless they are able to fix that, and cut out the individual errors, then they will remain in a relegation scrap. The visit of the league leaders will test that leaky defence once again.
Leeds Preview – Can league leaders continue strong start with another three points?
Leeds featured in may people’s picks for automatic promotion this season after coming so close last. Marcelo Bielsa sparked huge interest when taking over at Elland Road last summer and for long spells looked as though he would lead the club back to the Premier League. Leeds were in the top two right up until the final couple of weeks when they let their advantage slip and allowed Sheffield United to forge ahead. As so often is the case, it was further heartache in the playoffs when bowing out to Derby County in the semi-finals. The challenge for any team who has come so close to promotion in the previous season is how they respond. So far, in 2019/20, Leeds have shown they will be there or thereabouts.
Four games into the season and Leeds are unbeaten with three wins. Their 10 point haul is enough to see them top the table in the early weeks. Bielsa will not be getting carried away whatsoever but will be delighted with how his team have begun. Leeds have also shown they can win games in many different ways. The 3-1 win away to Bristol City was excellent but scoring a last minute winner at home to Brentford in midweek was probably more important. They will have to grind out many more wins like that to win promotion.
Key-Facts – Stoke v Leeds
- Stoke have had a miserable start to their league campaign, finding themselves bottom with just one point after four games
- Leeds have responded perfectly to the disappointment of missing out on promotion last season by going top early on and will be determined to stay there
- Both teams to score has landed in all four of Stoke’s league games so far
Stoke v Leeds Betting Advice
Stoke were victorious in this fixture last season but it’s hard to make a case for them repeating that tomorrow. Leeds have shown already with wins over Bristol City and Wigan how good they are on their travels. The boost they will get from the late winner against Brenftord is also taken into consideration and they can gain another win to stay top.
