All the information about the Reds trip to face Leeds!
Leeds United v Barnsley
Barnsley will be looking to build on the momentum from their late equaliser against Aston Villa when they travel the short distance to face Yorkshire rivals Leeds United this weekend.
Sam Winnall’s 90th minute header rescued a point for the Reds on Tuesday night and in the process helped Paul Heckingbottom’s side avoid a third straight League defeat on the bounce.
Despite earning a draw, the Tykes did slip down to 10th place in the Championship and they will be eager to make a return to winning ways at Elland Road.
Hosts Leeds go into the clash having seen their four-match winning streak brought to an end at Bristol City during the week.
Three League wins in a row plus a 1-0 EFL Cup triumph against Blackburn had seen Gary Monk’s men turn the corner after a sticky spell which saw them lose 1-0 at home to local rivals Huddersfield Town.
United have secured three consecutive victories at Elland Road since that game however and they will be keen to add to that on Saturday afternoon.
Previous Meetings
This weekend’s meeting between Barnsley and Leeds will be the first in over two years.
The Club’s last crossed paths in April 2014 when Ross McCormack’s first half goal was enough to earn all three points for Leeds at Oakwell.
That victory came following a goalless draw between the sides at Elland Road in December 2013, meaning you have to go back another season for the Tykes’ most recent victory in this fixture.
It came in January 2013 when a Chris Dagnall double earned the Reds their 19th win against their Yorkshire rivals.
This weekend’s hosts lead the way on triumphs in this clash however with 21 but the Reds will be keen to change that as they go in search of their first win at Elland Road since November 2011.
Team News
Sam Winnall will be hoping his last minute milestone goal on Tuesday night will be enough to see him return to the Reds starting XI on Saturday.
Last season’s top goal scorer came off the bench to nod Barnsley’s equaliser against Aston Villa which was also the Club’s 4,000th League goal at Oakwell.
Elsewhere, Adam Hammill and Adam Armstrong will also be pushing for recalls after being named amongst the substitutes in midweek, while James Bree will be eager to be involved after fully recovering from a hamstring problem.
Saidy Janko and Aidy White are unlikely to be fit however, so Cole Kpekawa will continue at left-back.
For hosts Leeds, captain Liam Bridcutt could make a return to first-team action after missing the Club’s last four games due to a foot injury.
Young midfielder Ronaldo Viera may also return to the first-team squad following injury, while Kemar Roofe will be pushing for a spot in Garry Monk’s XI after starting the last two games on the bench.
Man in the Middle
Barnsley will look to continue their recent upturn in form in the company of referee Simon Hooper on Saturday. Despite losing their first four meetings with him, the Tykes have won their last two matches with the Wiltshire-based official in charge.
Both of them came last season with the Reds beating Bradford 1-0 in January, before edging past Oldham 2-1 in April.
Leeds meanwhile, have already met with Saturday’s referee this season. Hooper was the man in the middle for the Club’s 2-0 derby win at Sheffield Wednesday in August.
That was United’s second win in his company, having also lost twice and drawn twice with Hooper in charge. Just three yellow cards were brandished by the referee in that game but so far this term he has handed out 38 yellows and one red in 11 matches.
Their Star Man
After plying his trade with a while host of English Clubs, both permanently and on loan, New Zealand international Chris Wood finally appears to have found a home in Leeds United.
The 24-year-old former Barnsley loanee arrived at Elland Road from Leicester City ahead of last season for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract. He didn’t take long to impress the Leeds supporters; hitting five goals in his first 12 appearances.
The ex-West Brom and Birmingham forward ended last season with 13 in total including strikes against Huddersfield, Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City. With United ending the campaign in 13th place however, the Leeds faithful were eager to see more of their no.9 this season and he has failed to disappoint.
The Auckland-born front man has scored seven times in 12 games so far this term including four in his last five games which has included winners against both Blackburn and Ipswich.
Leeds boss Gary Monk will be hoping that goal scoring spree continues in the coming weeks and months, as the New Zealander aims to beat his previous highest tally of 22 which he netted during the 2012-13 season with Millwall and then Leicester.
Mutual Man
Stephen McPhail is a player that both Leeds and Barnsley fans will remember fondly. It was with United that the midfielder began his career, coming through the youth ranks at Elland Road to make his debut in February 1998 at the age of just 18.
Following that maiden appearance, McPhail would go onto play 107 times for United, scoring three times; two of which came against Chelsea in December 1999.
The Westminster-born midfielder’s proudest achievement at Elland Road came during the 2000-01 season however as he featured in the Club’s run to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Despite that however, he failed to cement a regular first team spot in the following three campaigns which included loan spells with both Millwall and Nottingham Forest and in July 2004 he left Leeds to join Barnsley on a free transfer.
McPhail made his Tykes debut in a 1-1 draw against the MK Dons and scored his first goal in Barnsley colours just two games later in a 4-3 home loss to Luton in League One.
The former Republic of Ireland international scored once more in the 2004-05 campaign, making 38 appearances in total as the Reds finished the season in mid-table.
After a strong first season at Oakwell, McPhail was once again a regular in the following campaign and it would end in some style. The midfielder played the entire 120 minutes at the Millennium Stadium as the Reds defeated Swansea on penalties to secure promotion to the second tier.
That outing would prove to be McPhail’s final game in a Barnsley shirt however and in June 2006 he joined Championship rivals Cardiff City, where he would spend the next seven years. After making over 200 appearances for them, he enjoyed a short spell with Sheffield Wednesday before moving to Shamrock Rovers in February 2014.
Form Guide
Leeds’ last five at home: (DLWWW)
Leeds United 1-1 Fulham
Leeds United 0-1 Huddersfield Town
Leeds United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
Leeds United 1-0 Blackburn Rovers (EFL Cup)
Leeds United 1-0 Ipswich Town
Barnsley’s last five away from home: (LLWWL)
Ipswich Town 4-2 Barnsley
Huddersfield Town 2-1 Barnsley
Preston North End 1-2 Barnsley
Wolves 0-4 Barnsley
Brighton 2-0 Barnsley
Going to the match?
Leeds United play at Elland Road, its address is as follows: Leeds United Football Club, Elland Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 0ES
How to get there
By Car:
Leeds United is adjacent to the intersections of the M1, M62 and M621. Alternatively enter the postcode LS11 0ES in to your Satellite Navigation.
From the North
A1, M1, A639 to Leeds. Join m621 to Junction 1. Take A6110 from Roundabout into Elland Road.
From the South
M1, M621 to Junction 1. Take A6110 from Roundabout into Elland Road.
From the East
A64, A1, then as from North or M62, M621 to Junction 1. Take A6110 from roundabout into Elland Road.
From the West
M62, M621, to Junction 1. Take A6110 from roundabout into Elland Road.
Parking:
Car parking is available around the stadium and is operated by Leeds City Council. The cost is £6 per car (payable on the day).
By Train:
Leeds Railway Station is 2 miles away. London trains depart/arrive from Kings Cross. Journey time approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. Regular services available.
By Bus:
A match day shuttle bus service operated by First Leeds Buses, numbered R2, departs from Sovereign Street, adjacent to Leeds station, to the stadium. The service departs 90 minutes before kick-off and runs at frequent intervals.
At the end of the match, a frequent service will operate back to Leeds city centre. Prices are £2.50 return for adults and £1.25 return for children. Bus numbers 51 / 52 / 55 also travel from Leeds City Centre along Elland Road and stop outside of the stadium. Along Elland Road, please note that bus stops outside the ground are suspended one hour before and one hour after a home match.
Ticket Information - CLICK HERE
Leeds United have confirmed that anyone in possession of a concession ticket should have a form of ID (birth certificate/passport) to prove eligibility at the turnstiles. Anyone found trying to gain false entry will be refused access to the ground, without a refund.
