YEP Jury: Leeds United are on a roll but must be wary of Terriers' threat

Our fans' panel look ahead to tomorrow's West Yorkshire derby at Huddersfield Town and give their score predictions.
Ben White will be playing in a midfield role against Huddersfield Town.Ben White will be playing in a midfield role against Huddersfield Town.
Ben White will be playing in a midfield role against Huddersfield Town.

ANDY RHODES

After last weekend’s derby with Middlesbrough turned into a rout, Leeds United fans everywhere will be hoping for more of the same on the road tomorrow.

The Whites travel to Kirklees knowing that they’re rarely given an easy ride against the Terriers.

Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa.Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa.
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In fact, home and away, Huddersfield have beaten Leeds on the last three occasions. However, times have changed and now, Leeds look like the club on the up.

Marcelo Bielsa has a strong defence at his disposal, something which Huddersfield used to their advantage in their last Championship season.

There will be a reshuffle at the back for Leeds with Ben White moving into midfield due to Kalvin Phillips’ suspension.

The task of stopping Juninho Bacuna’s runs from deep will now fall to someone else, while Karlan Grant has shown a keen eye for goal this campaign.

Huddersfield Town's Juninho Bacuna.Huddersfield Town's Juninho Bacuna.
Huddersfield Town's Juninho Bacuna.
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For the first time this season we may not be asking questions about the forward line after four goals against Boro. Let’s hope for four more.

Prediction: Huddersfield Town 1 Leeds United 3.

DAVID WATKINS

Huddersfield is the fourth consecutive fixture Leeds have had against sides in the bottom seven of the table.

The good news is we’ve won the previous three! Indeed, if we beat the Terriers, we’ll have won every game this season against the bottom seven.

Our current form is superb; five wins on the bounce, scoring 11 and conceding just two. Huddersfield are not in such good fettle, sitting as they do in 19th spot with 18 points and they’ve not won in four; losing two and drawing two.

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However, they’ve not lost at home since September 15 when Sheffield Wednesday turned them over 2-0; that’s a run of six at home without defeat, although the highest placed side they’ve faced in that sequence is Swansea.

Last time out, Town were thrashed 5-2 at Bristol City but we all know they’ll be a different proposition when they see our badge on the opposition shirts; a Yorkshire derby has that effect! For that reason I’m expecting a draw while still hoping for another three points.

Prediction: Huddersfield Town 1 Leeds United 1.

MATTHEW EVANS

We are on a roll but, if there’s one thing that could stop us in our tracks, it’s an away match against our chippy West Yorkshire neighbours.

I’d never really thought about Huddersfield Town before the late 2000s.

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It was a club that some players might sometimes wind down their careers with but I’ve never seen it as much of a rivalry, in fact I tend to be happy to see our Yorkshire rivals do well on behalf of the county.

BBC Radio Leeds, with their West Yorkshire remit, are almost duty bound to make out this is some sort of huge derby but the truth is that it’s just another game for us.

That’s how Marcelo Bielsa and the team will prepare but they will still face a Huddersfield side and support that is in full ‘cup final’ mood.

The absence of Kalvin Phillips through suspension is a concern but the confidence is growing in the United ranks.

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We actually managed to score goals last week and we should go into this game looking to take all three points and keep our run going.

Prediction: Huddersfield Town 1 Leeds United 3.

KEITH INGHAM

Both teams have seen the ‘gritty’ end of football fortunes, yes I did say gritty! Town were in Division One until a certain local saviour bestowed monies on them to set them on the road to redemption that happily, for them ended with Premiership riches.

Leeds too, as we all know have also been in the lower division but the seeds that Andrea planted and Marcelo carefully grew and tendered are now bearing football flowers as we sit second in the Championship.

Huddersfield despatched another German coach, after David Wagner left last season so now a couple of brothers look after the team. The Cowley brothers started slowly but results have started to come until Bristol City put five past them last Saturday.

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Town will want to put their hammering at Bristol City behind them, whilst Leeds just hope to continue doing what they are doing so well, scoring goals and not conceding.

I’m expecting a ‘cracker’ and an early goal by Leeds should open the gates for one or two more.

Prediction: Huddersfield Town 0 Leeds United 2.

MIKE GILL

After Saturday’s emphatic win against Middlesbrough, United head west to Huddersfield Town tomorrow.

Apart from a 3-0 win against Hull in October, Town’s home form has been poor. Their away form hasn’t been too good either.

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Whatever happens tomorrow, Danny Cowley faces nothing but blood, sweat and tears in the near future.

Things have gone as wrong as is possible for our neighbours and the heady days of David Wagner are just a fading memory as the Terriers fight to avoid ‘doing a Sunderland’.

This is the sort of game that United need to win convincingly and thereby continue to improve their goal difference.

This banana skin should be so dried up that it sticks to the pavement.

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There has been a solidity and ruthlessness about the Whites this season and nothing should stand in the way of a convincing win at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Town will try to ‘park the bus’ though and United must show their patience.

Prediction: Huddersfield Town 0 Leeds United 3.

SHAUN SMITH

Nothing smacks of discourtesy more than a sacking. When the Terriers ditched the manager who took them to the Premier League, rubbing shoulders with the big boys, one couldn't help thinking delusions of grandeur had overtaken them.

Now that Huddersfield reoccupies familiar territory one wonders if the Terriers' following, a grumpy bunch at the best of times, are happier being miserable.

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Still, nothing encourages them more than a spiteful win against their sophisticated neighbours.

Personally, I think a 4-0 thumping and everyone wins.

Away fans can go on phone-ins and have a right good proper grump and the rest of us can go to the pub.

Prediction: Huddersfield Town 0 Leeds United 4.