Graham Smyth ‘convinced’ Daniel Farke will hand Leeds United player his first league start in 2025 at Luton

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Daniel Farke is under pressure and has some big decisions to make when it comes to picking his Leeds United starting XI on Saturday, when The Whites go to Luton Town.

Saturday’s draw with Swansea City, which saw Illan Meslier make two more dismal errors after saving a penalty, has seen Sheffield United go two points clear and more worrying, Burnley go level on points.

Leeds have got to get back to winning ways while automatic promotion remains in their hands or have to go through the pain of relying on Sheffield United or Burnley to drop points, which seems unlikely now.

Saturday then, sees Leeds go to Luton Town with a win of utmost importance and Daniel Farke’s selection is crucial. There are a number of decisions Farke has got to make and one of them is Wilfried Gnonto.

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Graham Smyth convinced Wilfried Gnonto starts against Luton

Gnonto has not started a league game in 2025, but came on at half-time against QPR as a number 10. Replacing Brenden Aaronson, the 13-time Italy star created Leeds’ second with a beautifully incisive pass.

But on Italy U21 duty, Gnonto picked up an ankle injury and returned early. It saw him only manage the final few minutes against Swansea, though he scored his sixth goal of the season on Saturday afternoon.

Farke said that Gnonto was close to starting. Now, Graham Smyth told The Square Ball that he expects Gnonto to start: “Had Gnonto not turned his ankle for Italy U21’s, he would have started today [Saturday].

“I’m convinced of that. I think he will start at Luton. Farke goes with the hot hand, if a player scores or has a bit of momentum, he does tend to put him in and if he has a week without any issues, he will come in.”

Where will Gnonto play and could Farke make other changes?

Gnonto came on as a 10 against QPR with Aaronson having a bad game, but the American scored his ninth goal of the season on Saturday. Aaronson was actually rated as Leeds’ second-best player.

So, Aaronson may retain his place. Gnonto then, will have to come in on the wings with both Dan James and Manor Solomon struggling for form in recent weeks. Gnonto is preferred on the right by Farke.

Elsewhere, Junior Firpo will surely come in for Sam Byram and Ao Tanaka is likely to start in midfield. I Ethan Ampadu fit enough to start after his rusty performance? And then of course, the issue of Meslier.