Boro's Lita looks the biggest threat to ending unbeaten run

Leeds UNITED stretched their unbeaten run to 11 games with their 3-3 draw against Portsmouth, but their defensive problems continue to hold them back.

Only three teams have conceded more goals than United in the Championship and leaders Queens Park Rangers have let in 26 fewer.

They may be full of attacking menace but they always give the opposition chances, so look to Boro's Leroy Lita to score at Elland Road in the lunchtime kick-off.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lita is back in favour ahead of Kris Boyd and Scott McDonald and scored twice in a convincing win at Preston on Tuesday.

Nottingham Forest's 5-2 thrashing of neighbours Derby extended their unbeaten home run to 30 matches, so a trip to the City Ground is likely to be a daunting prospect for Barnsley.

Recent away wins at Ipswich Town and Preston North End proved that the Tykes are capable of winning on the road but Forest will be the cornerstone of most multiples.

Hull City are now unbeaten in eight games and face a Leicester side whose results have been mixed under Sven Goran Eriksson.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Tigers have won four of those eight and if they are to collect another three points they will need to keep a close check on Leicester's free-scoring midfielder Andy King, who reached double figures for the season with a fine goal against Leeds on Boxing Day.

Scunthorpe fired a warning to Doncaster with their 2-0 win at Burnley – their sixth win in 11 away games – but a well-rested Rovers side should have too much quality as they make their first appearance in a fortnight.

Sheffield United will have a new manager in charge, Micky Adams, as they head to Burnley, who sacked former Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws in midweek.

It is a good policy not to bet on a team which has just changed its manager and as that goes for both clubs in this fixture, it is definitely one to avoid.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Huddersfield Town have endured a miserable Christmas with defeats to Hartlepool and Southampton and they face another difficult afternoon as they visit Carlisle, who have been through an enforced winter break since their last match three weeks ago.

That game ended in defeat at home to strugglers Dagenham and Redbridge, meaning the Cumbrians have picked up only one point from three relatively easy games.

Huddersfield have already won at Brunton Park this season – 1-0 in the Carling Cup in August – and they are more than capable of a repeat if they can shake off their festive blues.

Bradford City appear to be back in the doldrums after a crushing defeat at Cheltenham – their third in five games without scoring. Their opponents, Lincoln City, are the lowest scorers in the league and may be more than a little rusty after failing to fulfil any of their December fixtures.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This game looks destined to be a low-scoring affair and Bradford may be able to pinch it if they can recapture the form which saw them win at Bury.

Rotherham United's visitors Port Vale have lost manager Adams to Sheffield United and that no doubt contributed to their 3-0 defeat at Gillingham on Tuesday. Adams had made Vale one of the toughest teams to score against in League Two, but Adam Le Fondre can give the Millers the edge.