BOSS Eddie Howe is pinning his hopes on Cherries ending their – and his – Elland Road hoodoo as they look to steal a march on their Championship rivals.

Cherries step out at Leeds tonight bidding to extend their lead at the top of the table by claiming the Dorset club's first points at the famous Yorkshire venue (7.45pm).

Leeds have won all five league meetings at Elland Road, while they also triumphed in an FA Cup third round tie in 1939.

And despite last season presiding over Cherries' only victory against them, Howe also lost all three encounters with the Whites during his time as Burnley boss.

Currently 20th and three points above the drop zone, Leeds are on a seven-match winless run and have managed only two victories in their past 18 games – at home to Derby and Blackpool in November.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “Leeds away is always a tough game, no matter what their form.

"It is a great place to play, a really good stadium and a passionate home crowd. Last season's 2-1 defeat at Elland Road was tough to take but it was a really entertaining game.

“The rivalry between the clubs, probably not so much for Leeds, has been well documented for what happened historically so it is always a big fixture for us.

"The fact this club has never won there is a poor statistic and I know I lost twice there with Burnley. Hopefully, we can change that record.”

Leeds were yesterday plunged into further chaos when Massimo Cellino lost his appeal against his disqualification from owning the club.

The Italian had been barred by the Football League board from being an owner and director in December after it ruled a conviction in Italy for tax evasion was a “dishonest act” which failed to satisfy their fit and proper owners and directors' test.

Howe added: “I don't think any type of board room news affects players too much. I think that will be a side issue for them. Their focus will be on what their manager tells them and trying to play to their optimum level of performance.

“They will be a tough proposition. When you look at the players they've got and the history behind the club, it is perhaps a surprise not to see them in a better league position but that doesn't fool us. We know it is going to be a really tough encounter.”

Second-half goals from Souleymane Doukara, Giuseppe Bellusci and Mirco Antenucci earned Leeds a 3-1 win at Dean Court in September after Andrew Surman had given Cherries the lead.

Howe said: “We have had similar experiences where we have dominated and not had the goal margin we should have and been caught.

"Around that time, we were suffering from not holding on to leads and they came back to show what a good side they can be. Hopefully, that is an experience we can use because that defeat still hurts.”