Leeds United will be aiming to put some daylight between themselves and Charlton Athletic with victory over promotion rivals Swindon Town at the County Ground.

Leeds received a big boost without kicking a ball when Charlton unexpectedly lost at home to lowly Leyton Orient. They will have to make the slip up count though and face a tough task against an overachieving Swindon side.

It is a quick turnaround for the players after the energy sapping draw at White Hart Lane, I think the addition of Max Gradel could make a big difference tonight. He signed a permanent deal yesterday and his bubbly personality and enthusiasm will lift the whole squad. He will be itching to get out there and I think it would be a good move from Simon Grayson to play him from the start.

We struggled to lift ourselves for the league games after Old Trafford but Grayson shouldn’t have too many problems motivating the players for this one. The consensus is League One is a three horse race this season and a win against Swindon would add further weight to that theory.

This is a massive game in the context of our season. We need need to return to winning ways as soon as possible to regather our league momentum so we can pull away from the chasing pack once and for all.

Team news

It is difficult to know which way Grayson will go tonight. The tactic of using Robert Snodgrass in a free role worked very well on Saturday but I can’t see Grayson going with that again, although I think maybe he should. Snodgrass revelled in that role and played some of his best football this season. I just think Luciano Becchio might start the game.

As I have said, Gradel should start and I would even consider starting Aidy White too. Real pace on both wings is an exciting way to go and would make life uncomfortable for Swindon who won’t have had many teams come at them on their own ground this season. I am not sure which two would miss out, I will leave that up to Mr Grayson!

I can’t see there being many more changes to the side.

Prediction

Swindon will be tough, particularly with a couple of ex-Leeds players in their side. They have one of the best home records in the league and will fancy their chances against a tired Leeds side. We will have taken a lot of confidence from the Spurs game and the introduction of a couple of enthusiastic youngsters would freshen the side up. After starting off so well this season with my predictions I haven’t got close for a long time! I’m going for a draw.

Swindon Town 1 Leeds United 1


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