News

Daniel Farke axes £30k-a-week star… Predicted Leeds United XI to face Frank Lampard’s Coventry City

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United will be looking to go 14 games unbeaten in all competitions on Wednesday night and secure a sixth consecutive clean sheet when they go to Coventry City.

A game that has plenty of connotations behind it. Leeds suffered defeat in the same fixture last season when they faced a Mark Robins side that reached The FA Cup semi-finals, losing narrowly to Man United.

This season, Robins has been replaced by Frank Lampard but not before Leeds beat Coventry at Elland Road easily, a 3-0 win. Lampard though, has guided Coventry to five wins in a row in all competitions.

Of course, the rivalry between Leeds fans and Lampard remains. The Spygate scandal continues to make the rivalry among Leeds fans and Lampard a hostile one and there will certainly be some songs sung.

Preston North End FC v Leeds United FC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images

The selection issues Daniel Farke has to contend with at Coventry

The main one is whether Pascal Struijk returns to the starting line-up. Struijk came on for 15 minutes in the 7-0 win over Cardiff City, which feels like a lifetime ago following the drama of the January deadline.

Speaking in Tuesday’s press conference, Farke kept his cards close to his chest regarding Struijk. He said it is about picking the right time to bring Struijk back into the starting XI and that could be at Coventry.

Mateo Joseph and Wilfried Gnonto scored against Cardiff after coming off the bench. Junior Firpo starred last time out but it was his first game back, and Ilia Gruev was used in the away clash against Burnley.

Predicted XI as Leeds United take on Frank Lampard’s Coventry

So, Farke has some decisions to make. But, with Joel Piroe scoring twice and both Manor Solomon and Dan James on fire at the moment, all three will surely remain in the starting line-up against Coventry.

Brenden Aaronson is sure to continue, as is Illan Meslier, Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon and probably Firpo on the left given his three assists. The talking point is whether Struijk comes back into the Leeds side, or not.

If Struijk does come in, Ethan Ampadu moves into midfield and £30k-a-week Joe Rothwell is likely to be the one to drop out as Farke combines Ampadu and Ao Tanaka in the middle of the park.

Predicted XI, one change vs Coventry: Illan Meslier, Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Junior Firpo; Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu; Dan James, Brenden Aaronson, Manor Solomon; Joel Piroe.