weallloveleeds.co.uk
  • Latest
  • Fixtures/Results/Table
  • Have Your Say
  • Meet the team
  • Contact Us
  • Links

Blackpool vs Leeds United - Match Preview..

25/12/2013

1 Comment

 

By Rob Atkinson

Picture
A Leeds United side with no festive preoccupations heads off to Blackpool for tomorrow's live TV clash of two famous old footballing names.  Kind old Santa McDermott has benignly cancelled Christmas for his troops, or at least he's postponed it until May, perhaps hoping that there will by then be even better reasons to celebrate.  Whatever the logic behind it, the Leeds lads will have been training today instead of stuffing themselves with rich food and unwise amounts of alcohol - and quite right, too.  We can therefore look forward to them emerging from the tunnel at Bloomfield Road lean, fit and perhaps with a slight, competitive edge of resentment that the usual seasonal gluttony has passed them by somewhat. A bit of a nasty streak is important for any Leeds United team to be at its best.

Coincidentally, it was Blackpool away who provided the opposition for our last Christmas DAY fixture in 1956.  Yes, they used to play League Football on Christmas Day - imagine that.  It makes a mere training session seem almost festive.  On that Yuletide occasion 57 years ago, a goal from Harold Brook secured us a 1-1 draw, which wouldn't be the worst late Christmas present tomorrow, either.

Blackpool, of course, is famous for fresh air and fun.  It's also quite well-known for donkeys, and looking at the Tangerines' last few results you'd be forgiven for thinking there might be a few of those noble beasts in their default starting eleven. The last four games have resulted in defeat, seeing Blackpool slide a little off the promotion pace.  But as with any side at this level, they can be relied upon to give of their best when Leeds United are in town.

The home side have a couple of injury doubts in striker Ricardo Fuller and centre-back Gary MacKenzie, but midfielder Angel Martinez is available for selection again after a two-match suspension.  For Leeds, Luke Murphy is suspended after receiving his fifth caution of the season in the stalemate with Barnsley.  Marius Zaliukas must be rated a doubt after the injury he sustained against the Tykes; fit-again Scott Wootton stands by to deputise.

As for a prediction - I will hope for better and fear worse, but on balance I feel a repeat of that Christmas Day result in 1956 is not unlikely.  Leeds have two clean sheets on the trot and Blackpool are in a poor run, but this one feels as though it will be tight and competitive, with Paul Ince determined to have his men back to their best for such a marquee fixture.  I'll go with 1-1 and a goal from Matt Smith to ensure a share of the seasonal spoils for Leeds United - and Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, to all who read this.
1 Comment
Rob Atkinson
26/12/2013 06:03:58 am

Spot on with the prediction, what a pundit! It's just that I mis-spelled Lee Peltier as M-a-t-t S-m-I-t-h ... Oh well :-)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    As featured on NewsNow: Leeds United newsLeeds United News 24/7

    Categories

    All

    Archives

    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

    RSS Feed

    This is an image from weallloveleeds.co.uk, the leading fans site for Leeds United
    Follow @weallloveleedsu
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Latest
  • Fixtures/Results/Table
  • Have Your Say
  • Meet the team
  • Contact Us
  • Links