Following a frenetic transfer deadline day in which the club acquired wingers Alfonso Pedraza and Modou Barrow on loan from Villarreal and Swansea respectively, Leeds United look to respond in a seemly manner away to Blackburn Rovers after suffering an ignominious defeat to Sutton United last time out.

Leeds United will contest their second of a run of three consecutive away fixtures in all competitions when they embark upon the relatively short excursion to Ewood Park tonight.

Last night’s results saw Sheffield Wednesday relinquish two points at Ashton Gate as a Lee Tomlin penalty and Tammy Abraham’s improvised effort ensured that Fernando Forestieri and Ross Wallace strikes proved indecisive with Bristol City rallying to hold the Owls to a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, Derby County sprang into the play-off places with a commanding display at Ipswich Town, a match in which the ruthless Rams netted three goals without reply; while Reading continued their prolific campaign with a laborious 1-0 win over a hapless Birmingham at St Andrews.

The aforementioned victories for both Derby County and Reading will no doubt incentivise Leeds to mercilessly pursue what would be a profoundly valuable three points away from home as Garry Monk’s side hope to consolidate their position in the play-off places. Blackburn, the favourites of many an observer to be relegated prior to the beginning of the current campaign, will prove no facile opposition though.

Rovers’ league position of 23rd has, inevitably, brought upon them copious amounts of derision. In spite of this, the recent form of the Lancashire side is deserving of some credence. Owen Coyle and his charges have only suffered defeat on one occasion in their last five matches in all competitions, and the most notable result among that series of results is unquestionably a 1-0 home victory over title contenders Newcastle United last month.

Complacency, no matter the level or standard of football, is a crippling disease that every discerning manager will seek to cleanse his squad of. A compelling case could be put forth that complacency contributed significantly toward Leeds United’s downfall last Sunday. It is virtually certain that Garry Monk will restore his most salient players to the starting lineup, but if United are to remain in firm contention for a play-off berth come May, they must guard against complacency against what will be dogged hosts at Ewood Park tonight.

Team News

Blackburn Rovers

Newly signed striker Lucas Joao may feature after joining the club from divisional rivals Sheffield Wednesday, as could the re-signed Marvin Emnes, on loan from Swansea.

Doubt has been cast upon the match fitness of midfielder Corry Evans and utility man Charlie Mulgrew, while defensive trio Adam Henley, Elliott Ward, and Tommie Hoban have all been ruled out of contention due to injury.

Leeds United

Left-back Charlie Taylor remains sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained prior to Christmas, while central defender Liam Cooper is suspended after receiving two yellow cards during the chastening defeat to Sutton United.

Wingers Alfonso Pedraza and Modou Barrow, on loan from Villarreal of La Liga and Swansea of the Premier League respectively, are both unavailable for selection, though the pair could feature away to Huddersfield Town on Sunday.

Former England international Rob Green will most certainly reclaim his position in between the sticks from Marco Silvestri, who deputised for the veteran shot-stopper last Sunday.

Probable Lineups

Blackburn Rovers (4-4-2) - Steele; Nyambe, Greer, Lenihan, Williams; Conway, Akpan, Lowe, Bennett; Gallagher, Graham.

Leeds United (4-2-3-1) - Green; Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Berardi; O’Kane, Bridcutt; Roofe, Hernandez, Doukara; Wood.

Team Facts

Blackburn Rovers (23rd)

Top Goalscorers: Danny Graham (11), Sam Gallagher (9), Marvin Emnes (3).

Most Assists: Craig Conway (4), Liam Feeney (4), Danny Graham (3).

Highest Statistical Average Rating: Derrick Williams (7.11).

Record in 2016-17 (League) - W: 6, D: 7, L: 14.

Goals For: 32

Goals Against: 44

Goal Difference: -12

Last 5 Matches: WWLDW

Leeds United (4th)

Top Goalscorers: Chris Wood (20), Souleymane Doukara (5), Kyle Bartley (4).

Most Assists: Pablo Hernandez (5), Kemar Roofe (5), Hadi Sacko (3).

Highest Statistical Average Rating: Pontus Jansson (7.65).

Record in 2016-17 (League) - W: 16, D: 3, L: 9.

Goals For: 39

Goals Against: 27

Goal Difference: +12

Last 5 Matches: WWLWL

Media: Blackburn Rovers boss Owen Coyle:

The often maligned Owen Coyle lamented his side’s dearth of luck in their previous two encounters with United this season, both of which were played at Elland Road and both of which culminated in Blackburn defeats. Coyle, formerly of Barnsley, also iterated the importance of victory for his charges tonight, in front of their own supporters, during his obligatory pre-match interview with www.rovers.co.uk.

"It is a very important game for us," began Coyle.

"We are back at home and it is a great opportunity to go and win three valuable points to start kicking us up the table to where we want to be.

"Both games against Leeds this season could have gone a very different route because I felt we more than matched them on the day and sadly we lost by the odd goal each time.

"So that little bit of luck that we didn't have, hopefully that comes our way, but the biggest thing is that we are ready for that challenge, meet it head on and we go and show our quality and if we do that then it is a game that we can win.

"Now we are in the second half of the season there is no getting away from it that now is the time to get on that consistent run that we have talked about, now is the time to get back-to-back results to pick up points and move us up the table.

"We know we are close to putting a consistent run together and that is what we must do starting against Leeds," he concluded.

Match Facts

In the earlier matches contested between the two sides this season, Leeds emerged victorious - winning 2-1 in the reverse Championship fixture and 1-0 in the third round of the EFL Cup. Both matches incidentally, took place in September, in the space of merely a week.

Blackburn have kept just three clean sheets this season, with only bottom club Rotherham managing fewer.

Leeds are, tonight, presented with a chance to secure a first league double over Blackburn since the ill-fated 2003-04 Premier League season.

Key Men

Blackburn Rovers: Danny Graham, Forward

After barren spells bereft of frequent goalscoring with both Sunderland and Hull City in recent years, the 31 year-old, who first rose to prominence as a talisman in the colours of Carlisle United, has somewhat rediscovered his potency in front of goal since making a permanent move to Ewood Park in the summer after a brief loan spell during the latter stages of last season. With 11 strikes to his credit this term, the perennially nomadic forward tops the Blackburn scoring charts, and if Rovers are to haul themselves arduously out of the deeply unpleasant mire of the relegation zone, his goals will prove imperative in aiding their cause.

Fact: Graham made three appearances on loan for Leeds in 2006, failing to score during a brief spell with the Whites.

Leeds United: Pablo Hernandez, Attacking Midfielder

Throughout the entirety of Sunday’s tiresome slog at Sutton, each and every Leeds United supporter will have been yearning for even a scintilla of innovation from just one of the bumbling incompetents that took to the field and disgraced the white shirt that day. The return of Pablo Hernandez then, will be a most welcome one. A 31 year-old and four-time Spain international, Hernandez has thrilled the fans at Elland Road this season with several scintillating showings, exhibiting guile, exuberance, and flair on just about every occasion that he has sported the famed colours of the Whites. The creative conjuror has notched up three assists in his last four outings, and he’ll likely be a thorn in the side of a porous Blackburn defence throughout the duration of the 90 minutes this evening.

Fact: Hernandez has garnered a wealth of experience at the highest level in previous spells with Valencia and Swansea City, featuring in European competition for both clubs.

Writer’s Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Leeds United

Although Blackburn’s recent form warrants credence, Leeds will be desperate to keep themselves firmly in contention for a play-off berth come May and I previse that Blackburn’s porous defence will ultimately be their downfall once more tonight. It’ll be a closely fought encounter, with both sides eager to secure the three points to aid their contrasting, but equitably important causes at the opposite ends of the table - a narrow victory for Leeds.

Statistics derived from WhoScored.com

Photo: Action Images

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