Daniel Farke makes three changes as £16m man is finally dropped… Predicted XI as Leeds United take on Middlesbrough

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Leeds United are used to quick turnarounds and this week is no different with Daniel Farke’s men in action on Tuesday against Middlesbrough, as the Championship season reaches the 20-game mark.

The Whites secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Derby to make it four wins from the last five, having lost against Blackburn the weekend prior. On Tuesday night, Middlesbrough come to Elland Road once again.

Already, Michael Carrick has taken his team to Yorkshire and won – beating Daniel Farke’s men 3-0 in the Carabao Cup. A Leeds side that still included Georginio Rutter, easily beaten after Farke made changes.

This is a different bout between two sides expected to be in the Championship’s top six come the end of the season. Below, LeedsUnited.News predict Farke’s starting line-up and he could make three changes.

• READ MORE: Daniel Farke was ‘hopping’ with rage at one Leeds United player on Tuesday night

Daniel Farke forced into one change against Middlesbrough

There is one enforced change. Junior Firpo picked up an injury on Saturday and while Firpo says he will be back soon from injury, the chances are that he will be unavailable to play again against Carrick’s outfit.

Max Wober replaced him and scored and it is likely he is handed his first league start for Leeds in a year and a half, the last coming on the final day of the 2022-23 campaign – a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham.

Wober in, then. But Farke could also make two changes to his side on Tuesday night and one big talking point will be who the German decides to play up front – Mateo Joseph, Patrick Bamford or Joel Piroe?

The two other changes Farke could make on Tuesday night

Piroe struggled again on Saturday despite the win, his only glimpse of quality coming when he saw a shot palmed just wide. He does have nine goals and assists in 19 Championship games, but one in his last four.

While he has scored regularly, £16m Piroe’s lack of involvement is a worry. Against a side that will bring it to Leeds on Tuesday, Joseph is the smarter pick up top. Lively when he came off the bench on Saturday.

Farke is also expected to rotate his wingers and Wilfried Gnonto should come back in, given he was only a sub against Derby. Dan James played more than Manor Solomon, so Gnonto in for Wales winger James.

Three changes then. Starting XI: Illan Meslier, Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Max Wober, Ao Tanaka, Joe Rothwell, Wilfried Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson, Manor Solomon, Mateo Joseph.