Leeds United can take a giant leap towards securing promotion if they defeat Oxford United on Good Friday but what will the starting line-up be?
Daniel Farke kept his composure during Leeds United’s worrying wobble, and it’s paid off tenfold after two successive wins moved them back to the top of the Championship table.
In contrast, a furious Chris Wilder has seen his Sheffield United side collapse and drop five points behind their Yorkshire rivals.
As a result, Leeds could secure promotion to the Premier League on Monday if they better the Blades’ points return over the Easter weekend double header.
Beating Oxford on Friday will be the best way to ensure that happens. Here’s how the starting XI could look.
Risky Dan James decision to be made
Though Joe Rothwell will miss both games this weekend, there was some good news as Farke revealed Dan James is in contention to return.
The manager said in his pre-match press conference: “Joe Rothwell will definitely miss this weekend’s game. We hope to have him available for the last home game against Bristol City. With Dan James, it looks slightly better.
“It is fair to say at this stage we will probably have him available for the Monday game. If he can play against Oxford? Late decision. Likely, he is available on Monday, trying everything we can.”
It sounds like there is a slim chance James could be involved at the Kassam Stadium but it would be a needless risk.
Leeds did very well without James last weekend and, even though he is their best forward, rushing him back could just rule him out for the rest of the campaign when there’s a title to win.
Leeds to be unchanged with Joel Piroe keeping his place
Mostly everyone played brilliantly in the win over Preston but Joel Piroe had another difficult afternoon.
The striker had seven shots, more than double anyone else, and didn’t find the target even once. Three of his efforts came within the six-yard box, in the middle of the goal.
His form has fallen off a cliff, yet Farke seems set on sticking with him up front as he doesn’t want to overwork Patrick Bamford after his injury troubles.
As a result, it will likely be an unchanged Leeds starting XI to face Oxford.
Karl Darlow will continue in net with Ethan Ampadu joining Joe Rodon ahead of him, as Pascal Struijk out for the season.
The excellent Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo will be at full-back behind a wing duo of match-winner Manor Solomon and Willy Gnonto.
Ao Tanaka, Ilia Gruev and Brenden Aaronson will operate centrally behind Piroe.
Predicted Leeds starting XI vs Oxford: Darlow; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Tanaka, Gruev; Gnonto, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe.
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