Key events
Iâm also excited to see how Jaden Philogene goes. Iâve heard lots about him, and I daresay Rosenior will be hoping he gives Hull an out-ball and a threat on the counter.
Daniel Farke says that given the international schlepping, Leeds havenât done much in training apart from light tactical work as they need to be at full fury for tonight, and though theyâve injuries, they will be; Liam Rosenior hopes his side rise to the atmosphere, as the have in other games this season.
Back to Ipswich, Kieran McKenna gives credence to my suspicion that Alex Ferguson did some kind of Dorian Gray-style deal for Man United to be good for as long as he was manager then rubbish thereafter. If he can get the Tractor Boys into the Premier League â never mind polaying the football they do â itâll stand as one of the great managerial achievements.
âSo as the Easter hunt draws to its close,â writes Jeremy Boyce, âIâm looking OK for my earlier prediction, depending on what goes on in the closing minutes in Ipswich. A lively, well-contested score draw and as you were for both, opening the door for…? I know Leeds are missing a couple of their preferred starting XI but youâd have to think that, playing in front of a slightly partisan home crowd on a Bank Holiday with the Golden Egg drawing into view, they would get this done. Wouldnât you ? Or IS it the surprise banana skin home defeat that totally derails their chase ? Itâs a funny old game football…â
You should definitely trademark that line. i think Hull will find it hard to raise it tonight, and agree that Elland Road is one of the few remaining grounds that, when itâs up, has manic behaviour coming from all parts.
Full time: Ipswich Town 3-2 Southampton
What a massive result that is! Kieran McKennaâs substitution trick does it again, and Ipswich now top the table by two from Leicester and four from Leeds, both of whom have a game in hand.
GOAAAAALLLLL! Ipswich Town 3-2 Southampton (Sarmiento 90+7)
OH MY COMPLETE AND UTTER ABSOLUTE DAYS! Ipswich have been pressing for a winner against 10-man Southampton and a terrific finish â Sarmiento falls, gets up, and pokes a quality futsal-style early finish â that takes Ipswich back to the top! What a game!
Iâm looking forward to seeing Archie Gray tonight. Iâve not seen much of Leeds this season, but I saw plenty of Eddie Gray videos as a kid, so Iâm excited to see how the magic has passed down.
Oh man, this is sensational.
Hull, meanwhile, make three changes. In the centre of defence, Sean McLoughlin drops to the bench with Tyler Morton n coming in; on the left of their attack, Ozan Tufan replaces Anas Zroury; and up front, itâs Abdülkadir Ãmür, not Noah Ohio.
Anyway, back to these teams. Leeds are without the injured Liam Cooper, so Ethan Ampadu moves back into defence. His place in midfield is taken by Archie Gray, with Sam Byram coming in at right-back; otherwise, itâs as you were.
Elsewhere: itâs Ipswich 2-2 Southampton with seven plus additional to go.
TEAMS!
Leeds United (4-3-3): Meslier; Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Kamara, Gray; Summerville, James, Rutter; Bamford. Subs: Darlow, Cresswell, Cooper, Shackleton, Crew, Anthony, Gelhardt, Piroe, Joseph.
Hull City (4-2-3-1): Allsop; Coyle, Jones, Tufan, Giles; Seri, Slater; Philogene, Carvalho, Seri; Omur; Subs: Pandur, McLoughlin, Ohio, Traoré, Sharp, Jacob, Christie, Connolly, Zaroury.
Preamble
To extol the Champo as footballâs most exciting division is now true to the point of truism â and, letâs be real, itâs not exactly surprising to see Leeds, Leicester, Southampton and their parachute payments filling three of its top four places.
But the fact remains, the top 11 are playing for promotion and the bottom 10 are fighting against relegation â and for tonight, weâre focusing on the former.
Leeds are developing into a very pleasant football team, but tonightâs game doesnât come at a great time for them, Willy Gnonto and Connor Roberts both out for a few weeks after hurting themselves on international duty, while Ilia Gruev is also a doubt. However, Patrick Bamford, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter give them a decent goal-threat nevertheless, and the best defensive record in the league gives them a chance of toughing out any game.
Hull, though, are no mugs, without a win in five but still ninth in the table just two points away from the playoffs. They lost at home to Stoke last time out, a miserable result by any standards, and lack a reliable goalscorer â all the more so given Liam Delap is injured. But Fabio Carvalho, though his Leipzig loan didnât go well, remains a talent, and heâll fancy himself to remind us of that this evening. I say this a lot, but: this should be good.
Kick-off: 8pm BST
