Leeds United v Bristol City: Home comforts can help Whites get back to winning ways - YEP jury

DAVID WATKINS

Leeds face Bristol City this weekend knowing that another defeat really will put the final nail in the play-off coffin, not that the lid isn’t already pretty firmly closed.

The optimists among us are still hoping for a miracle and we’ve all been playing tunes on the Championship Predictor trying not to be too biased in our assessment of our remaining 15 fixtures. If there is to be a miracle, it has to start with a solid performance and three points on Sunday.

Looking at the Robins’ form there is some cause for hope; they arrive at Elland Road on the back of a run with just one win in seven games and last time out they surrendered a 3-0 lead to allow Sunderland to leave Ashton Gate with a point. Leeds’ recent form is even worse and we sit rock bottom of the six-game form table with only two points from the last 18, so, to achieve a positive result, we really do need a major turnaround in form and luck. The arrival of ‘Eckie’ has at least given us a peg to hang some hope on so I’m going to expect the unexpected and a Leeds victory.

Prediction: Leeds United 3 Bristol City 1.

KEITH INGHAM

Back in October, Leeds United travelled to Bristol City’s Ashton Gate after three straight defeats. Leeds surprised many by recording a 3-0 win, it was their best away display of the season.

A ‘Heck’ of a lot has changed since that day. Ambitions of maintaining a challenge for a top-six place are growing less likely because of the poor recent results. Paul Heckingbottom has a big job on his hands to turn this season on to a upward curve and put down a platform to build on for next season.

Samuel Siaz, Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi will complete their bans after the game with Bristol City and their return for the game with Derby County will be a bonus to ‘Eckie’, until then he will have to coax a improved performance from what he’s got at Elland Road.

I hope that Heckingbottom includes a few of the bright lights of the Under-23s in the near future, Tom Pearce has impressed me and the winger is something the first team don’t have. Players need to be braver with the ball and show the fans they have it still in them to push Leeds back up the table, I’m hopeful they will on Sunday.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Bristol City 1.

MIKE GILL

For the first time for a while we are not expecting a near sellout crowd at Elland Road for the attractive fixture with Bristol City.

All the glory hunters will be sitting down to Sunday lunch followed by Sky. That is if they can drag themselves away from Huddersfield v Manchester United on BT Sport.

Leeds United’s performances have been poor since Boxing Day but with the exception of the Cardiff City game, the defeats have been by a single goal.

They are lacking in confidence and restoring some swagger is Paul Heckingbottom’s most important task.

Back in October, United beat Bristol City 3-0 in a fixture that provided false hope in the middle of a bad run.

I really believe that the current form of both sides will have little bearing this time around. United deserve a bit of luck and nothing lasts forever – even winless runs!

Let us hope that Heckingbottom’s first game in charge at Elland Road ends with three points!

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Bristol City 1.

MATTHEW EVANS

Sunday will be the day that Leeds United return to winning ways. We don’t really have any other choice if we are going to get our season back on track and, if the away fixture is any guide, then we do have the beating of Bristol City.

While the past month has been punishing for Leeds fans, and we certainly haven’t played well at any point, it’s so frustrating that we’ve been beaten by teams only marginally better or else just as bad than our own.

Most of our downfall has been of our own doing and when we finally kept 11 players on the pitch, in Paul Heckingbottom’s debut last week, we deserved at least a point.

We are starting to see players return to the first team and Sunday is the perfect opportunity to start a run of form we haven’t seen since December and banish the ‘loser’ tag that both United and Heckingbottom are close to being branded with.

I think we will do it and in front of Elland Road’s smallest crowd of the season as well. The stalwarts will be rewarded.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Bristol City 1.