'Electric' - Daniel Farke holds ultimate Leeds United title race trump card

Wilfried Gnonto has been tipped to play a starring role in Leeds United's promotion tilt in the second half of the season. The Italian international bagged his fourth Championship goal in the midweek win over Middlesbrough to help them move back into the automatic promotion spots.

It was the perfect way for Gnonto to justify his recall after Daniel Farke decided to start the skilful wide man on the bench against Derby County to protect him from picking up another yellow card and triggering a suspension. Gnonto entered the fray in the final quarter of the Rams contest and avoided collecting a booking - the cut-off point for a one-match ban for receiving five yellow cards is the first 19 matches of the season.

Former United and England winger Lee Sharpe told BetMGM: “I always enjoy watching Gnonto. He is Premier League quality and there aren’t many wingers like him in the Championship. He is really entertaining, his pace is electric and he gets the fans off their seats.”

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Sharpe is impressed with the attacking options Farke has at his disposal. “I think [Joel] Piroe has come in and done a really good job for Leeds this season," he said. "He has scored plenty of important goals which they may have lacked last season and that can make all the difference in a long season. [Daniel] James is always consistent with the way he plays, you know exactly what you will get from him."

United will be searching for a third consecutive win when they go to mid-table Preston North End tomorrow. “I expected them (Leeds) to be promoted last season and I am once again expecting them to go one better this season and get back into the Premier League," said Sharpe.

"It's a brutal league to get out of the Championship but it is going well for them so far this season. They’ve put themselves in a great position which is all you can really ask for before Christmas. They've got momentum now which is really important, and I think last year's disappointment will be strong motivation to make sure they finish the job this year and get back to the Premier League.”