Table toppers Leeds United will be looking to consolidate their position when they welcome Blackburn Rovers for a Championship clash this Wednesday.
The Peacocks are undefeated in their last six games. They come into this match after winning back-to-back away games against Stoke City and Derby County. With 51 points from 24 matches, they are on the top of the Championship leaderboard.
Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers are winless in last three matches. They lost their latest home encounter to Hull City with a 0-1 margin. John Eustace’s side is currently in fifth in the league with 38 points.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Leeds vs. Blackburn Rovers live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this EFL Championship match in the U.S.:
This game is not available for live TV broadcast in the United States. Streaming options for this game are available on Paramount+, which is currently offering a FREE trial to new members.
What time does Leeds vs. Blackburn Rovers kick off?
This EFL Championship clash takes place at Elland Road in Leeds, United Kingdom and kicks off on Wednesday, January 1 at 3:00 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Wed, Jan. 1 | 10:00 a.m. |
| Central Time | Wed, Jan. 1 | 9:00 a.m. |
| Mountain Time | Wed, Jan. 1 | 8:00 a.m. |
| Pacific Time | Wed, Jan. 1 | 7:00 a.m. |
Leeds vs. Blackburn Rovers lineups, team news
The hosts will be without long-term absentee Ilia Gruev, who is sidelined with a knee injury and is expected to return late-January. Joe Gelhardt (hip), Junior Firpo (hamstring), and Maximilian Wober (muscle) will also miss out due to injury.
Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Patrick Struijk and Sam Byram started in the backline against Derby, and they will retain their places in the starting XI against the Rovers.
Leeds United predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Meslier (GK) — Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Byram — Ampadu, Tanaka — James, Aaronson, Gnonto — Joseph.
Injured: Gruev, Gelhardt, Firpo, Wober
Suspended: None
The visitors are dealing with a long list of injuries, including Arnor Sigurdsson (thigh), Harry Pickering (knee), Hayden Carter (knee), Scott Wharton (ligament), and Zak Gilsenan (muscle).
Callum Brittain, Dominic Hyam, Danny Batth and Owen Beck are set to retain their places in the starting XI for the New Year’s Day clash against Leeds.
Blackburn Rovers predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Pears (GK) — Brittain, Hyam, Batth, Owen Beck —Baker, Tronstad — Cantwell, Dolan, Hedges — Ohashi.
Injured: Sigurdsson, Pickering, Carter, Wharton, Gilsenan, Travis
Suspended: None
Leeds vs. Blackburn Rovers Prediction
Leeds are currently on a roll with their six-match winning streak. Their last two away wins would have given them a much-needed boost ahead of this clash. When these two teams clashed last time in November, the Rovers achieved a 1-0 victory over the Peacocks.
It is worth mentioning that Leeds are undefeated at Elland Road in nine matches and they will likely continue to dominate at home.
- Prediction: Leeds 2-0 Blackburn Rovers
EFL Championship fixture schedule this week
All times ET
Wednesday, January 1
- Plymouth vs. Bristol City (7:30 a.m.)
- Queens Park vs. Watford (7:30 a.m.)
- Millwall vs. Oxford United (8:00 a.m.)
- Burnley vs. Stoke City (10:00 a.m.)
- Cardiff City vs. Coventry City (10:00 a.m.)
- Leeds United vs. Blackburn Rovers (10:00 a.m.)
- Luton Town vs. Norwich City (10:00 a.m.)
- Portsmouth vs. Swansea City (10:00 a.m.)
- Sheffield Wednesday vs. Derby County (10:00 a.m.)
- West Bromwich Albion vs. Preston North End (10:00 a.m.)
- Hull City vs. Middlesbrough (12:30 p.m.)
- Sunderland vs. Sheffield United (3:00 p.m.)
