Leeds United go into their first home game of the season after narrowly seeing off the challenge of League One Fleetwood at the Highbury Stadium on Wednesday night.

A first Leeds goal for Marcus Antonsson and a penalty from Chris Wood contributed to a 2-2 scoreline after 120 minutes, and the Whites won the resulting penalty shootout 5-4 after Robert Green kept out Eggert Jonsson's effort to send Leeds through. Tomorrow, United will take on Birmingham at Elland Road with a newfound confidence after securing their first win of the new season.

Opponents Birmingham meanwhile did not have such a good time of it in the cup earlier in the week. The Blues succumbed to a dismal 1-0 home defeat to Oxford United on Tuesday after extra-time, with Liam Sercombe netting the only goal of the game. The result means that Birmingham go into tomorrow's clash having not tasted victory in any of their last eight competitive games.

Despite their poor form of late, Leeds would be foolish to underestimate Gary Rowett's side as the Championship is a division that is one of the most unpredictable in the world.

Team News

(Leeds) - Due to an injury recently sustained by first-choice right-back Gaetano Berardi, United are likely to hand a debut to new signing Luke Ayling, according to the BBC. The 24-year-old joined the Whites from divisional rivals Bristol City on Thursday, penning a three-year-contract at Elland Road.

(Leeds) - Marcus Antonsson and Pablo Hernandez were two of Leeds' brightest sparks on Wednesday night, and so the duo are expected to once again play a part tomorrow.

(Birmingham) - Former Ilkeston and Oadby Town attacking midfielder Che Adams continued his rapid rise to footballing prominence when he signed for Birmingham in a £1.5 million deal from Sheffield United earlier in the summer. He could make his Blues debut tomorrow, an event that is being eagerly anticipated by the Birmingham support.

(Birmingham) - Goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak and striking pair Clayton Donaldson and Diego Fabbrini are all likely to feature after missing the defeat to Oxford.

Media - Garry Monk and Luke Ayling

Monk stresses importance of supporters

Speaking to leedsunited.com on Thursday, Leeds head coach Garry Monk stressed the importance of making Elland Road a fortress this season, as well as making positive use of the 'unbelievable support' the club receives from its fans.

“Using this unbelievable support in the right way is crucial,” he said.

“We have fantastic support home and away and it’s going to take everyone together to achieve something successful at this club. “On Sunday, you could see the apprehension in the players. I think it’s important that the fans give the players that encouragement.

“The only way that they’ll grow and their potential will become reality is to put that apprehension into other teams. “Away from home on Wednesday night our fans were the loudest by far - and that was at another team’s ground. I’m sure that’s going to be the case a number of times this season.

“We need to put that fear into the other team and not our team, especially at Elland Road. We need to make them fear it, not our players. It’s my job and the fans’ job to encourage our team and put apprehension into the other team.

“My way of doing that is through the way we play and the supporters can put their influence into the other team by creating that atmosphere.”

Ayling delight at three-year-deal

Meanwhile, new signing Luke Ayling also spoke to the club's official site earlier in the week, with the former Bristol City and Yeovil man expressing his delight at having signed for the club.

“It’s a massive club and I can’t wait to get started,” said the 24-year-old. “I’m buzzing to sign a three-year deal at such a big club.

“I heard about five days ago that there might be a chance of me coming here, then things started to move quickly on Monday night and I started driving down this week. I was really happy.

“Garry Monk has told me that he wants me to come in and play football in the right way. He likes players to get on the ball and show themselves and be the player that they want to be.

“I like the ball at my feet and hopefully I can bring something different to the team.

“I hope to bring loads of energy and get up and down the wing. I think I’m quite good with the ball at my feet and I always try to play football in the right way.

“I can’t wait for the prospect of playing at Elland Road on Saturday in the first game back here. It’s going to be packed and I can’t wait to get out there in front of the fans.”

Key Players

Leeds - Pablo Hernandez and Marcus Antonsson.

Midfielder Pablo Hernandez, 31, was one of United's best performers on Wednesday night The Spaniard exhibited his undoubted class, with several class touches and beautifully weighted passes. His play-making exploits caused the Fleetwood defence a great deal of trouble, and his creative abilities could be key for United not just tomorrow, but for the duration of his stay at the club.

Forward Marcus Antonsson, 25, scored his first competitive goal for the Whites on Wednesday, netting a fine goal on the turn in the dying embers of normal time to save United from another first-round humiliation in the League Cup. The Swede, who joined from Kalmar back in June, also won a crucial penalty in extra-time after being picked out by Kemar Roofe. His contribution was hugely significant and said contribution surely puts him in contention for a starting spot tomorrow.

Birmingham - Michael Kieftenbeld and Clayton Donaldson.

Kieftenbeld, a battling 26-year-old defensive midfielder who hails from the Netherlands, was an integral component of the Birmingham machine last season, breaking up opposition attacks and recycling possession. During his playing career in the Netherlands, several journalists were critical of his discipline, (he averaged 8 yellow cards a season whilst with FC Groningen), but such a combative player is also perhaps somebody with whom fans can identify. The Dutchman is also a former KNVB Cup winner, and he made no less than 42 appearances for Birmingham last season. He will most likely be tasked with dealing with Pablo Hernandez, and that battle could prove to be a decisive one.

32-year-old Bradford-born striker Clayton Donaldson will be available for tomorrow's game, and that should be a huge boost to the Blues' chances in tomorrow's fixture. Donaldson assisted Demarai Gray's opening goal in Birmingham's 2-0 win at Elland Road in October last season, and back in April, he scored the Birmingham goal in his side's 2-1 home defeat to the Whites, who won the match courtesy of a Stuart Dallas double. Donaldson is a proven threat at this level, and Birmingham are a lot stronger with him in their side rather than out of it.

Match Facts

Leeds have lost only one of their last six league meetings with Birmingham, winning three (D2) including the most recent one 2-1 away at Birmingham in April 2016.

The Blues have lost on one of their last six away trips to Elland Road in all competitions (W3 D2), although it was a 4-0 drubbing in October 2013.

Since a game between the two in December 1987, Leeds' 10 home league meetings with Birmingham have seen a different manager in the home dugout (Billy Bremner, Howard Wilkinson, Terry Venables, Peter Reid, John Carver, Simon Grayson, Neil Warnock, Brian McDermott, Neil Redfearn and Uwe Rosler).

Birmingham are winless in their last seven league games (D5 L2), keeping a clean sheet just once in that time.

Leeds were the only team in the Football League who failed to register a shot on target in their opening game of the 2016-17 campaign.

Writers' View Ahead Of The Game

After narrowly seeing off the brave challenge of League One minnows Fleetwood on Wednesday, I'm actually very optimistic ahead of this meeting. We made short work of Birmingham at St Andrews back in April, and I wouldn't be surprised if we do just that again tomorrow. The only concerns I hold are defensive ones. The absence of Liam Bridcutt's defensive steel in our midfield has been well and truly felt, and Sol Bamba has looked as clumsy as ever when tasked with negating attacking threats posed by the opposition. Luke Ayling did sign for the club this week and the 24-year-old is a positive addition to the back line, and his versatility should prove to be of benefit to our side. Despite this, our midfield is definitely something to keep an eye on as the lack of a quality defensive midfielder will serve only to expose our defensive line to more attacking pressure.

We are reportedly close to sealing a permanent deal for the aforementioned Bridcutt, and I can only hope and pray that those reports are truthful accounts of events. Our back line was hugely exposed due to vast holes in our midfield during the QPR drubbing, and Fleetwood posed a number of attacking questions a few days ago. Everyone with an ounce of footballing common sense can see that we miss 'Bridders', and hopefully the club see it too.

With regards to a score prediction for tomorrow's match, I'm plumping for a 2-1 home win. I feel that whilst we do have a reputable arsenal of attacking options capable of troubling any defence in this division, we lack defensive solidity. Despite our abundantly clear defensive woes, Birmingham's recent dismal form has me full of confidence. I see attacking potential and defensive direness in both teams, and I therefore feel that this game will be won by the more efficient strikeforce rather than a sturdy and steady defence. We have the greater striking potential; hence why I believe that we will secure victory tomorrow.

Photo: Action Images

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