Football latest: Weekend team news

AS we enter the penultimate weekend of the football season, there are some cracking football games to look forward to in our region at both ends of the spectrum.

In the championship there is a battle at both the top and the bottom as Leeds United look to cling on to their slim play-off hopes by beating Burnley at Elland Road and Sheffield United go in search of the win they need to maintain any lingering dreams of Championship survival.

The Blades face Barnsley at Bramall Lane in a Yorkshire derby that even if they win, could consign them to relegation and the prospect of League One football next season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Micky Adams’s side need some help from elsewhere if they are to catch the likes of either Doncaster or Crystal Palace, both of whom only require one point to secure their safety.

Doncaster entertain Leicester tomorrow afternoon, while Palace are at Hull City where the Tigers themselves still have very slim hopes of making the Championship play-offs.

In League One, all of the attention is on Huddersfield Town as they do battle with Southampton for the one remaining automatic promotion spot. The Terriers will need down at Champions Brighton if they are to have any real hope of snatching second place.

Championship

Leeds v Burnley (12.45ko)

Team news: Luciano Becchio is a major doubt with the hamstring injury that ruled the United top scorer out of the Easter double-header, while Barry Bannan has been recalled by parent club Aston Villa from his loan spell at Elland Road. Lloyd Sam is again missing with a knee injury but George McCartney could return at left-back after recovering from illness.

Last six games: Leeds United LWLLDL, Burnley LWWWD.

Referee: P Crossley (Kent).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Last time: Leeds United 1 Burnley 0; April 14, 2007, Championship.

SkyBet odds: Leeds to win 5-4; Burnley to win 21-10; Draw 12-5.

Doncaster Rovers v Leicester City

Team news: To follow...

Hull City v Crystal Palace

Team news: Robert Koren could return after injury but the Tigers will definitely be without Vito Mannone (shoulder), Liam Rosenior (medial ligament), Nick Barmby (calf) and Corry Evans (hamstring) for what is likely to be the final game of the season at the KC Stadium.

Last six games: Hull City LWDWLD, Crystal Palace WLDLDW.

Referee: K Woolmer (Northamptonshire).

Last time: Hull City 2 Crystal Palace 1. April 26, 2008; Championship.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

SkyBet odds: Hull to win 4-5; Crystal Palace to win 10-3; Draw 13-5.

Sheffield United v Barnsley

Team news: The Blades could be boosted by the return of strikers Ched Evans and Richard Cresswell after five game absences with injury and midfielder David McAllister who missed the trip to Reading. Striker Daniel Bogdanovic (illness/ankle) is a doubt against his former club while former Barnsley defender Chris Morgan is out until next season with a knee injury. On-loan striker Marlon Harewood (hamstring) is a major doubt for the Tykes who include former Blades youngster Jacob Mellis, on loan from Chelsea.

Last six games: Blades LLLLWW, Barnsley LWLDLD

Last time: Blades 0 Barnsley 0; April 3, 2010, Championship.

Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire)

SkyBet odds: Blades to win evens, Barnsley to win 5-2, Draw 5-2

League One

Brighton v Huddersfield Town

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Team news: Once again, Town have no fresh injury worries so Lee Clark’s only absentees will be Liam Ridehalgh (toe), Anthony Pilkington (ankle) and Alex Smithies (knee) for the last ever game at Brighton’s Withdean Stadium.

Last six games: Brighton & Hove Albion DWWWLD, Huddersfield Town WWDWWW.

Referee: S Tanner (Somerset).

Last time: Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Huddersfield Town 0; February 9, 2010; League One.

SkyBet odds: Brighton to win 6-4; Huddersfield to win 6-4; Draw 9-4.

Bristol Rovers v Sheffield Wednesday

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Team news: Team news: Defender Danny Batth (illness) and striker Gary Madine (knee) are the only doubts for the Owls ahead of the trip to the Memorial Stadium. Midfielders Tommy Miller and Gary Teale are pushing for recalls after being rested to the bench last weekend.

Last six games: Rovers WWLLDL, Owls WWLWDW

Last time: Rovers 0 Owls 1; October 6, 1990, Division Two.

Referee: D Foster (Tyne & Wear)

SkyBet odds: Rovers to win 5-4, Owls to win 13-8, Draw 5-2.

League Two

Hereford United v Bradford City

Team news: Tommy Doherty is again injured, while interim manager Peter Jackson has vowed to stick with his experienced players until City are definitely safe from the drop. That means promising youngsters such as Dominic Rowe and Darren Stephenson are likely to have to wait until the final day meeting with Crewe Alexandra for another taste of first-team action.

Last six games: Hereford United DDWDLD, Bradford City WLLWLW.

Referee: D Phillips (West Sussex).

Last time: Hereford United 2 Bradford City 0; March 10, 2010; League Two.

SkyBet odds: Hereford to win evens; Bradford to win 9-4; Draw 9-4.

Aldershot v Rotherham United

Team news: To follow...