Leeds vs. Stoke Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips

Leeds United takes on Stoke City at Elland Road in what is shaping up to be a crucial Championship fixture. Leeds are sitting at the top of the Championship table with a stunning 91 points, leading their promotion push to the Premier League. Stoke City, on the other hand, is in 16th position with 50 points, looking to secure their place in the Championship for next season.

Leeds come into this game as the bookmaker’s favourite with odds of 1.25, boasting an impressive record of three wins and two draws in their last five matches. Daniel Farke’s squad has shown strong defensive capabilities, keeping clean sheets in two of their last five games and conceding just 0.7 goals on average over 43 matches this season.

Stoke has been in good form as well, unbeaten in their last five matches and averaging 1.6 goals per game over the same period. Million Manhoef has been attracting interest from top clubs due to his strong performances, despite Stoke’s mid-table standing, making him a key player to watch.

Given Leeds’ robust performance and defensive strength, alongside their head-to-head advantage and promotion motivation, the recommended bet is a home win for Leeds. This match promises to be an intriguing encounter with high stakes on both ends.

Leeds vs Stoke Prediction & Betting tip

• Leeds have a strong recent record, winning three and drawing two of their last five matches.
• Stoke have struggled against Leeds in recent encounters, with Leeds winning the last two matchups.
• Leeds’ solid defence, having kept 23 clean sheets this season, makes them tough to break down.

Back Leeds for a home win, as their superior form and defensive prowess position them as the clear favourites.

Leeds vs Stoke Odds

Leeds come into this match as heavy favorites, with bookmakers giving them odds of 1.25 to secure a win at Elland Road.
Stoke, on the other hand, have substantially longer odds at 11.41, reflecting their lower league position and recent head-to-head results. A draw seems unlikely too, with odds set at 5.54. Given Leeds’ strong form and superior defensive record, it’s not surprising that they are tipped to take all three points.

Leeds Team Analysis

Leeds Recent Performance

Leeds have shown solid form in their recent games, securing three wins and two draws in their last five matches.

Recent Form: WWWDD

The team scored an average of 1.40 goals per game in these fixtures, while also managing two clean sheets.

With this consistency, Daniel Farke’s squad remains a formidable presence at the top of the table. Great defensive work has seen Leeds concede just 0.7 goals on average this season, a testament to their robust backline.

The latest results reinforce Leeds’ ambition to secure their promotion to the Premier League.

Leeds Key Players

Joel Piroe is undeniably the key player for Leeds, having netted 15 goals this season, making him the top scorer. His attacking prowess will be crucial against Stoke’s defense.
In midfield, Brenden Aaronson and Ilia Gruev play pivotal roles in creating opportunities. Aaronson’s vision and passing accuracy complement Gruev’s ability to control the tempo.
Defensively, Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon form a solid partnership at the back, crucial to Leeds’ impressive clean sheet record.

Expected Lineup for Leeds:

• Goalkeeper: Karl Darlow
• Defenders: Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Junior Firpo
• Midfielders: Wilfried Gnonto, Ao Tanaka, Brenden Aaronson, Ilia Gruev, Manor Solomon
• Forwards: Joel Piroe

Leeds Suspensions & Injuries

Leeds have a couple of key players currently sidelined due to injuries which could potentially impact their performance.

Both Pascal Struijk, with a foot injury, and Joe Rothwell, with a calf injury, are likely to miss the upcoming game. Struijk’s absence will be felt in the defensive line, while Rothwell’s creative presence in midfield will also be missed. However, given Leeds’ depth and current form, they should be able to manage in this crucial tie against Stoke.

Leeds Tactics and Formation

Leeds Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Joël Piroe
  Daniel Farke has his team well-drilled in the 4-2-3-1 formation, prioritizing defensive solidity and attacking efficiency.
• Defensive Pairing: Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu
  Leeds have kept two clean sheets in their last five games, contributing to their strong defensive record this season.
• Midfield Structure:
  • Defensive midfielders: Wilfried Gnonto and Ao Tanaka anchor the midfield, providing cover for the defense and aiding in ball recovery.
  • Attacking midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, Ilia Gruev, and Manor Solomon are tasked with creating scoring opportunities and maintaining possession.
• Attacking Prowess:
  • Joël Piroe leads the attack, leveraging his prowess to net 15 goals this season.
• Strategic Focus:
  • Leeds have a tendency to score in 81% of their matches and pressure their opponents effectively in the final 15 minutes of each half.

This dynamic arrangement is expected to challenge Stoke and maintain Leeds’ impressive form.

Stoke Team Analysis

Stoke Recent Performance

• Recent Form: Stoke enters this match with a decent run of form, boasting two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five games.
• Average Goals Scored: 1.60
• Clean Sheets: 2

Their latest performances have shown resilience, especially in the backline, as indicated by their clean sheets. Here’s a look at their recent results:

Despite their mid-table position, Stoke have shown they can be a tough opponent. With an average of 1.60 goals per game and solid recent outings, they’ll be looking to challenge Leeds and spoil their promotion party.

Stoke Key Players

Expected lineup for Stoke:

• Goalkeeper: Viktor Johansson
• Defenders: Junior Tchamadeu, Ben Wilmot, Ashley Phillips, Josh Wilson-Esbrand
• Midfielders: Wouter Burger, Ben Pearson, Million Manhoef, Lewis Baker, Joon-ho Bae
• Striker: Sam Gallagher

In their recent matches, standout performers include Lewis Baker, Stoke’s top scorer with 7 goals. His influence in the midfield, alongside Million Manhoef, will be crucial in dictating play and creating chances.

Sam Gallagher poses a significant threat up front, providing a physical presence against Leeds’ solid defense. Keep an eye on the battle between Gallagher and Leeds’ central defenders, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu, which could be pivotal.

Stoke Suspensions & Injuries

Stoke City are missing some key players due to injuries, which could test their squad depth and affect their performance against Leeds. Here are the details:

These absences might force Stoke to rely heavily on their bench and adaptability. The absence of Souleymane Sidibe and Jordan Thompson in midfield could disrupt their flow and stability. Additionally, the potential short-term absence of Eric Junior Bocat could leave them vulnerable at the back.
Mark Robins will need to strategically shuffle his lineup to cover these gaps and ensure the team remains competitive.

Stoke Tactics and Formation

Stoke City’s Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Sam Gallagher
• Midfield Core: Ben Pearson, Wouter Burger
• Defensive Backbone: Ben Wilmot, Ashley Phillips
• Notable Strategy: High pressing and quick transitions.

Stoke prefer a 4-2-3-1 setup, with Sam Gallagher leading the line.
Lewis Baker in the attacking midfield role is pivotal for linking up play and creating chances.
On the wings, Million Manhoef and Joon-ho Bae bring pace and width, looking to exploit any gaps in Leeds’ defence.
At the back, Junior Tchamadeu and Josh Wilson-Esbrand provide solid defensive coverage as full-backs, while Pearson and Burger offer stability in the midfield.
Expect Stoke to defend compactly and strike swiftly on the counter, capitalizing on their opponent’s vulnerabilities, particularly in the latter stages of each half.

Leeds vs Stoke Head-to-Head Statistics

Leeds United have a strong record against Stoke City in their recent head-to-head matchups, winning three out of the last five encounters.
Stoke managed to eke out a victory in one of these five matches, showing that they can pose a challenge even when Leeds are favorites.
The most dominant display was a 5-0 thrashing by Leeds, indicating their potential to exploit Stoke’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Given recent form, Leeds are likely to continue their dominance, though Stoke’s resilience should not be overlooked.

Odds accurate as of 19.04.2025 15:03, and are subject to change.
Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.