Preston North End vs Leeds Prediction & Betting Tips - Championship

Prediction published on 24/12/2023, 07:30  by Sridhar in Championship Predictions

Preston North End face a tough ask in their quest to arrest their recent slide as they come up against Leeds United. This Championship matchday 24 will be played at the Deepdale Stadium in Preston on the Boxing Day. Ahead of this round, the hosts are 13th with 32 points while the visitors are 3rd with 45 points. On paper, Preston are only four points behind top-six spots, but that tells only half the story. The Lilywhites are coming off a 2-1 loss to Swansea over the weekend with the result making it five defeats across their last seven matches. This is now looking a completely different team to the one that set the league ablaze with six wins from their first seven matches of the season.

Leeds are laying claim to be a challenger to the top-two spots after a 4-0 thumping win over Ipswich. Yet, they are still seven points behind top-two and are only marginally ahead of Southampton with a superior goal difference. In fact, it is their goals that could provide a difference as Leeds have the joint-third best scoring record in this league campaign. They also have a strong record on Boxing Day, having won three and drawn one of their last four such matches in the league. That could be a record they want to cling on to, as Leeds haven’t really excelled on their trips this season – losing their last away league game and winning only two of their last four.