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Wolves logo
Championship
Apr 6, 2015 at 5.15pm UK
 
Leeds logo

4-3

Dicko (19', 45'), Afobe (48'), Edwards (88')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Taylor (11'), Batth (65' og.), Mowatt (74')

Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Leeds United

Sports Mole peers ahead to Easter Monday's Championship game at Molineux as playoff-chasing Wolverhampton Wanderers host troubled Leeds United.

After a week to forget both on and off the field for Leeds United supporters, they now travel to Molineux to face a Wolverhampton Wanderers side sporting the longest winning streak in the Championship.

Leeds will be glad to get 2014-15 out of the way, but this is another vital game for Wolves as they edge ever closer to the top six.



Wolves

Benik Afobe of Wolves celebrates with team mates after scoring the opening goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford at Molineux on March 7, 2015© Getty Images

Kenny Jackett's side might still be bottom of the promotion-chasing top eight, but three wins in a row have well and truly reignited their hopes of at least reaching the playoffs. Only goal difference is keeping them out of the top six at the moment, even though they have recorded a 7-1 aggregate scoreline in their three recent wins.

On Good Friday, they faced a tricky test away at Dougie Freedman's much-improved Nottingham Forest, but left the City Ground with the points thanks to a 2-1 win. It would have been three clean-sheet victories on the spin had Dexter Blackstock not found the net in injury time for a late Forest consolation.

Unsurprisingly, Benik Afobe and Bakary Sako were the visitors' goalscorers in the East Midlands and Afobe especially has been on fire since a January move from Arsenal. The striker, who scored 19 goals in all competitions during the first half of the season at MK Dons, has now bagged nine in 15 games for Wolves after a fine solo effort which broke the deadlock against Forest.

It was also a landmark game for manager Jackett as he recorded his 50th league win in charge of the club. The 53-year-old reached the milestone quicker than any other manager in Wolves history.

Wolves will be glad to return to the Black Country, where they have not lost since early February. In their last five home games, Jackett's side have picked up 13 out of a possible 15 points and scored 15 goals while conceding just two.

With the seven sides above them all playing earlier in the day ahead of an evening kickoff at Molineux, Wolves will be ready to pounce on any slip-ups and spring into the playoffs.

Recent form: LDDWWW



Leeds

Leeds caretaker manager Neil Redfearn shouts instructions during the npower Championship match between Charlton Athletic and Leeds United at the Valley on April 06, 2013© Getty Images

It is back to square one for Leeds and Neil Redfearn after a barrage of bad press in the last week. The manager loved by the supporters tonight admitted that he does not know if he will even be in charge on Easter Monday.

He feels that he has been undermined and isolated by the club's owners after his assistant Steve Thompson was suspended by the club for supposedly under-performing. On top of that, it is reported that Redfearn has been instructed not to pick striker Mirco Antenucci because he is two goals away from activating a clause in his contract which will earn him a further 12 months at Elland Road.

Antenucci did not start Saturday's 3-0 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers, but was introduced from the bench midway through the second half as Leeds looked to recover from Rodolph Austin's first-half red card.

It wasn't to be as they went back-to-back games without a win to fall to 14th in the table. They are not in danger of relegation, but Redfearn might give up as his control over the team appears to be about as minimal as possible for a head coach.

Another story to hit the headlines in the build-up to Blackburn's visit was Red Bull's interest in buying the team, and it all culminated in a poor defeat on what should have been a passionate weekend for the club.

Even the club's tributes on the 15-year anniversary of two supporters being stabbed to death in Turkey were marred when Galatasaray's Dutch superstar Wesley Sneijder promoted a club-branded knife set on Twitter. He swiftly apologised and removed the post after an onslaught of abuse from Leeds fans.

Maybe the only thing in Leeds's favour is their recent away form - they have lost just one of their last eight on the road, winning five, drawing two and keeping clean sheets in half of those games.

Recent form: WWDWDL



Team News

Mirco Antenucci of Leeds scores the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Derby County at Elland Road on November 29, 2014© Getty Images

Jackett has no new injury concerns, but certainly has the option to freshen up his side for a second game in three days. The likes of Afobe and Sako will be the first names on the teamsheet, but there are considerations to be had elsewhere.

Dominic Iorfa was given the nod at right-back over Matt Doherty at Forest, but the latter could return for Leeds's visit. Scott Golbourne should keep his place on the other side, while Dave Edwards will hope for a recall and could replace Jack Price in the middle.

Austin will sit out for Leeds after his red card against Blackburn and it will be interesting to see if Redfearn opts for Antenucci and changes to a 4-4-2 formation as there are no obvious candidates to replace the Jamaican in midfield.

Lewis Cook returned from international duty earlier this week with an ankle injury and is unlikely to return in Austin's place. If Antenucci, who incidentally scored in the reverse fixture against Wolves, is benched, Billy Sharp could be the one to partner Steve Morison in attack.

Wolves possible starting lineup:
Ikeme; Iorfa, Batth, Stearman, Golbourne; Henry, McDonald, Edwards, Sako; Afobe, Dicko

Leeds possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Wootton, Bamba, Bellusci, Berardi, Byram, Murphy, Mowatt, C.Taylor; Morison, Sharp

Referee: David Coote



Head To Head

Leon Clarke scored the winner five minutes from time in the reverse fixture back in October as Wolves fought back from a 1-0 half-time deficit to snatch the points.

Wolves will be confident of doing the double as they are unbeaten in six games against Leeds at Molineux, winning four and drawing two.

In fact, Leeds have recorded victory just once in their last 15 trips to the Black Country and that was way back in 1973.


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We say: Wolves 2-0 Leeds

With Wolves on a roll and Leeds in turmoil once more, it is hard to predict anything other than a home win here. Jackett's men have been extremely tight at the back in recent home games and although Leeds will be difficult to break down, the home side's attacking talent should be too strong for the Whites.



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Benik Afobe of Wolves celebrates with team mates after scoring the opening goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford at Molineux on March 7, 2015
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