Leeds vs Stoke Prediction & Betting Tips - Championship

Prediction published on 02/08/2018, 07:24  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 02/08/2018 at 08:25 in Championship Predictions

Leeds United are one of those teams that have been battling to get back into the Premier League for a fair time. They are also a club where you have to double-check who the manager is as they do tend to sack a fair few bosses. Last season saw them at the top for a short while but their Championship season ended with them in 13th place 15 points adrift of the play-off places. They only won four of their last 20 league games losing 11 of them so their dreams of promotion got nowhere again. Just double-checked and their current head coach is Marcelo Bielsa who took over in June of this year. He's made a few summer signings and this week recruited striker Patrick Bamford from Leeds joining goalkeeper Jamal Blackman, defender Barry Douglas and midfielders Lewis Baker and Jack Harrison. They ended last season with a four-game unbeaten run at home but weren't up against the top sides.

Stoke City will be hoping to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. They have a new manager too with Gary Rowett taking over the Championship side. There's been plenty of movement in the transfer market with Shaqiri moving to Liverpool which will be a big blow for them. Signings have included Tom Ince from Huddersfield for £10m and James McLean from WBA for £5m but goalkeeper Jack Butland is expected to stay. Pre-season has been disappointing with no wins in their last five friendlies and it might take a while for their new-look team to gel and their away form is poor. Go for Leeds to start the season with eithr a win or a draw in a double chance bet.