Leeds United face Reading on the back of a good win against Birmingham City where there was a sense of bristling fizz in Leeds’ play, something developed from an encouraging display against high-flying Burnley in a close 1-0 loss.
Today’s game at Elland Road sees the 15th-placed Whites entertain the team directly above them and level on points as Berkshire-based reading travel north for today’s game.
Expectations will be high amongst Leeds fans who will be looking for a repeat of the Birmingham performance to bring a little April hope to a Leeds United home game where there will be at least a slight distraction with the proposed march on Elland Road by supporters of protest group Time To Go Massimo.
Leeds United fans knew that there would be one enforced change, with Alex Mowatt’s red card not being rescinded on appeal, meaning that he will miss the next three league games starting with today’s visit of Reading.
Leeds United – today’s starting 11
#lufc team vs @ReadingFC | Silvestri, Berardi, Bellusci, Cooper, Taylor, Diagouraga, Murphy, Cook, Dallas, Antenucci, Wood.
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 16, 2016
Taking charge of today’s game gives Steve Evans the record as the longest-serving manager/head coach under Massimo Cellino’s rocky stewardship of the club. Team-wise, Sol Bamba and Tom Adeyemi miss out due to illness with on-loan midfielders Liam Bridcutt and Mustapha Carayol missing due to injury. Stepping up to the breach is Giuseppe Bellusci as the only change to the starting line up from the Birmingham game.
Leeds United – subsitutes bench
#lufc subs vs @ReadingFC | Peacock-Farrell, Coyle, Wootton, Phillips, Sloth, Botaka, Erwin.
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 16, 2016
On the bench, there are three changes as perennial Under-21 performers Casper Sloth, Jordan Botaka and Lee Erwin get a possible chance to step up and make a name for themselves.
Steve Evans goes through the team selection
WATCH | Steve Evans talks @leedsunitedtv through his #lufc team selection for this afternoon's visit of @ReadingFC: https://t.co/9ySSdciZlL
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 16, 2016
Leeds fans react on Twitter to team news.
This Leeds fan is happy to see the changes that have been made on the bench, expressing hope too.
Good to see Botaka and Sloth on the bench. Would be good to see them get some game time #Lufc #mot
— Matt England (@MattEngland2) April 16, 2016
Leeds fan Chris has a very simple plea.
Three points please! #lufc pic.twitter.com/EzXgbd1eMq
— Chris Hearn 💙 (@chris4465) April 16, 2016
Chris plea is echoed by Leeds fan Nathan.
https://twitter.com/Sch08098247/status/721329366240792576
Not sure of the relevance of this Tweet but if you’re peckish and a bit of an animal, follow your nose to find Georgia.
I literally have 17 peperamis in my pockets right now #lufc
— geeoo (@fabgeorgiaa) April 16, 2016
Leeds fan Laura is predicting a meltdown towards the end of the game with Bellusci being centre stage.
Bellusci's back…prepare yourself for 88th minute carnage… #lufc
— Laura Clark (@lauraclark23) April 16, 2016
Little bit of a dig here from Leeds fan Jordan?
Sloth, Botaka and Erwin on the bench today someone obviously told Evans these player are still at the club #lufc
— Oliver Williams (@oliver221993) April 16, 2016
