Daniel Farke faces some tough decisions regarding his starting lineup for Leeds United as they gear up for a crucial Championship showdown with Leicester on Friday night.
After securing a crucial victory over Plymouth Argyle in their previous match, Leeds reclaimed their spot in second place on the table. Meanwhile, Leicester’s 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough at home narrowed their lead at the top to just nine points.
Despite their recent success, Leeds has been facing a hectic schedule with four games in just 13 days. This has prompted Farke to consider several players who are returning to contention.
Leeds United’s defensive line has been exceptional, as Illan Meslier has only conceded one goal in 2024 and secured eight straight wins. With Karl Darlow recovering from a hand injury, he is expected to start in the upcoming match.
However, their defensive options are limited, with Sam Byram dealing with a hamstring issue and long-term absentees like Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas. Consequently, Archie Gray and Junior Firpo will likely continue as full-backs, supported by Connor Roberts from the bench. Additionally, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu are expected to hold their positions at center-back, leaving Liam Cooper and Charlie Cresswell on the sidelines.
In the midfield, Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara are likely to continue their strong partnership, dominating games regularly. In the attacking unit, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter are almost guaranteed their starting positions due to their exceptional form. Joel Piroe is expected to fill in for the injured Patrick Bamford.
While Daniel James is eager to return to the lineup after his previous form, the in-form Wilfried Gnonto’s recent goal-scoring spree may see the Italian winger benched in favor of him.
