Leeds United kick off the 2024/25 Sky Bet Championship campaign by welcoming Portsmouth to Elland Road, in Saturday’s 12:30 kick-off.
Daniel Farke’s side have been in impressive form during pre-season, as preparations ramped up for this weekend’s opener, starting off with a convincing 3-0 victory over Harrogate Town away from home.
The Whites then travelled to the manager’s native Germany for a training camp and the scintillating form continued, dismantling 2. Bundesliga outfit Hannover 96 4-1, before beating Schalke 2-0.
Back on home soil, Leeds welcomed La Liga giants Valencia CF to Elland Road last weekend and put in another strong display, with a well-taken strike from Mateo Joseph, the forward’s fourth of the summer, and an audacious chip from Georginio Rutter proving too much for the Spanish side.
This season marks a welcomed return to the second tier for Portsmouth, after John Mousinho’s side stormed to the League One title last term.
Former Whites defender Conor Shaughnessy’s header got Pompey over the line towards the end of the campaign, ending a 12-year exile from the Championship in style at Fratton Park, as they reached the 97-point mark – 10 clear of third-place Bolton Wanderers.
Pompey's preparations for the upcoming season have been mixed, with the South Coast outfit falling to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Charlton Athletic last time out, the weekend after they drew 1-1 with League Two side MK Dons.
The previous meeting between the two sides in West Yorkshire came back in 2011, with Danny Pugh's first half header proving to be the difference for Simon Grayson’s men in a 1-0 victory.
Mateo's impressive summer:
How to watch:
The match is available to Watch Live in selected territories. Studio build up with Emma Jones and Michael Bridges starts from 12pm, before worldwide live audio commentary with Bryn Law and club legend Tony Dorigo for monthly audio subscribers. Match passes include video build up, analysis and reaction at video.leedsunited.com. Buy your match pass HERE.
Supporters can also follow all the updates live on leedsunited.com with our online blog throughout the match.
The match has also been selected for live television coverage within the UK, on Sky Sports. For further information on how to watch the game across the rest of the world, please see our ‘How to Watch’ guide on leedsunited.com, ahead of kick-off!
Important supporter information:
The Park & Ride Service that operates in partnership with Hunters Coaches from Temple Green and Stourton will be back operating for the match, after not running for the Valencia fixture.
Discriminatory language or chanting is not acceptable and you could be breaking the law. The club condemns this behaviour and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination abuse of all kinds.
To report an incident, text LEEDS along with any relevant information including ticket details, your name and description of an incident to 60006. You will then receive an automated response which means that your report has been logged and will then be looked into.
Tough measures and sanctions are in place across all English football leagues to tackle dangerous and illegal behaviours within football grounds, and this involves but is not limited to, discriminatory behaviour, tragedy chanting, fans entering the pitch, the use of pyros and throwing objects.
What has Daniel Farke said ahead of the match?
Head-to-head:
Wins: 23
Draws: 17
Losses: 18
2023/24 League position:
Leeds: 3rd (Championship)
Portsmouth: 1st (League One)
Officials:
Referee - Oliver Langford
Assistant Referees - Richard Wild, Mark Russell
Fourth Official - James Linington
Our 2024/25 squad numbers have dropped:
