Combined Leeds and Leicester XI ahead of Friday: Archie Gray and Jamie Vardy miss out

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Leeds United travel to the King Power on Friday night ahead of a crucial Championship clash between two promotion contenders with Leicester City sitting top of the table – and here is our combined XI.

Both sides have shown promotion form so far this season, with Leicester leading the way after 13 wins in 14 so far. Leeds sit third, four wins in five. A game which could be an early indication of who may go up.

Combined XI as Leeds United travel to Leicester City on Friday

Goalkeepers

Leicester signed Mads Hermansen in the summer and he has conceded just eight goals in 13, keeping five clean sheets. Illan Meslier has also kept five clean sheets, but conceded 15 in 14. Hermansen, then.

Defence

James Justin has starred on the left side of defence so far, probably just shading it over Sam Byram. Leeds have not had a settled right-back; Luke Ayling, Archie Gray and Jamie Shackleton all being used.

In the middle, Joe Rodon has to start. The Welshman has been superb since joining on loan from Spurs, making a huge impact – while Belgium star Wout Faes has been just as crucial for Enzo Maresca’s side.

Midfield

There aren’t many better players in the division than Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall so far. In his 14 games, one of which has come from the bench, he has had a hand in 11 goals – scoring five, laying on six assists.

In a 4-3-3, he plays one side of Ethan Ampadu – arguably our best signing of the summer. A target for Leeds in the summer, Harry Winks, has been “unbelievable” according to Foxes manager Enzo Maresca.

Attackers

This is where Leeds come into it. Georginio Rutter simply has to start, the attacking heartbeat of this Leeds side. After Saturday, Cree Summerville starts too, with 10 goals and assists in 11 league games.

The other flank is tricky. Kasey McAteer and Stephy Mavididi have impressed on occasion for the Foxes but Dan James has made a superb start, scoring a brace on Saturday. He makes it a Leeds front three.

Our combined XI: Mads Hermansen; Ricardo Pereira, Joe Rodon, Wout Faes, James Justin; Ethan Ampadu, Harry Winks, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall; Cree Summerville, Georginio Rutter, Dan James.