Daniel Farke’s job could be on the line this weekend as Leeds United return to Elland Road after two successive away games to host Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
The pressure has fallen by the wayside with the November international break, but Farke’s future as Leeds manager is likely to fall right under the microscope again with Unai Emery’s in-form Aston Villa in town.
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LeedsUnited.News understands the 49ers intend to give Farke until the new year. However, large sections of the fanbase already believe Farke should have been sacked after four defeats in the last five matches.
Any hope of a return for Marcelo Bielsa is over, but the sack remains very much a threat for Farke. Emery has not lost in 17 games against newly-promoted sides at Villa, and now, Farke has provided an update.
Daniel Farke delivers news on his Leeds squad ahead of Villa
Ahead of Nottingham Forest last time out, Farke issued a clean bill of health, although Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a late call. The England striker got more than 20 minutes against Forest at the City Ground.
Willy Gnonto had been in training for a fortnight and yet, Leeds fans were left bemused when Gnonto was left in Yorkshire. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Farke delivered an update on his squad before Sunday.
“The Welsh players are in a good mood! No one came back injured, I have all the players available – not one player injured. We had a proper training group, 48 more hours to prepare, can’t complain too much.”
The key decisions Daniel Farke has to make to his Leeds side
Having lost two games in a row and several players in bad form, there are only a handful of players that are expected to retain their place. Lucas Perri, Joe Rodon, Sean Longstaff and Noah Okafor will start.
There seems to be little doubt about that. Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Calvert-Lewin have endured some questionable form of late, but they are still likely to be given a start.
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Who partners Rodon at centre-back, whether Anton Stach is dropped for Ao Tanaka and who is handed the right-wing reins remains to be seen. Dan James did score for Wales in the week and could start.
But Aaronson also impressed for USA during the break and has had a hand in two goals in the last three Premier League games. Plenty to consider for Farke, not least his Leeds formation, ahead of Villa.
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