Could the festive season define Leeds United's season? A healthy points haul would certainly put them in a strong position to kick on in the second half of the campaign.

Fresh from appointing Gary Rowett as their new coach, Oxford United will travel to Elland Road looking to cause a big upset and dent the Whites' promotion aspirations. There is currently 18 places and 24 points separating the two clubs in the table.

United manager Daniel Farke said: "The festive period has many games, eight overall in 29 days which are crucial. You can't pick up each and every point but we want to pick up as many points as possible.

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"Our next and last home game of the calendar year, we have been pretty good in the last home games. We want to finish the year in style, and to win valuable points."

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Farke said Pascal Struijk was "50-50" to be involved in the Whites' final home match of 2024 due to a hamstring problem. United's stand-in skipper has barely put a foot wrong this season. Assuming Struijk returned to training yesterday and trained without any issues with the rest of the group, the Dutchman could start at the heart of their rearguard alongside Joe Rodon.

Today's clash may come too soon for Max Wober (knee). Junior Firpo and Ilia Gruev are definitely out with hamstring and knee injuries respectively.

Leeds United squad vs Oxford United: Meslier, Darlow, Cairns, Bogle, Struijk, Rodon, Struijk, Debayo, Schmidt, James, Gnonto, Ampadu, Rothwell, Tanaka, Guilavogui, Crew, Solomon, Ramazani, Aaronson, Piroe, Joseph, Bamford, Gelhardt.