Leeds United and Millwall do battle once again on Wednesday night as the Whites look to secure a repeat of last season’s fixture that saw Daniel Farke’s side ease to a 3-0 away win.
Tuesday night’s results and notably, Sheffield United’s late 2-1 win over Bristol City, has seen Leeds drop to third in the Championship table. They however, can go top with a win, if Sunderland lose to Preston.
The rivalry remains a constant between Leeds and Millwall, even if Leeds allowed Jamie Shackleton and Charlie Cresswell to spend the 2022-23 campaign at The Den on loan. Both have since left permanently.
Millwall boss Neil Harris says he has been rallying his players ahead of the game, claiming the clash that sees Leeds go to London comes after a “warm-up” in the form of a 1-0 win over Burnley on Sunday.
Why Neil Harris is envious of Daniel Farke’s Leeds squad
But speaking back in March after Leeds eased to a 2-0 win at Elland Road, Harris said that actually he was envious of Daniel Farke and his Leeds squad. He thinks the Leeds side are of Premier League quality.
Since then, Archie Gray, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville and Glen Kamara have left. But after 13 games last season, Leeds are four points better off this time around – boasting 26 instead of only 22.
Harris said after his side’s 2-0 loss in March, to Southwark News: “You look at Leeds’ line-up and their bench – I’m extremely envious of that. That’s a Premier League club in waiting again,” Harris commented.
“Ultimately a football club that should be in the Premier League. They’ve got the resources to be able to do it and will do it this year, in my opinion. We had to stay in the game, we had to be disciplined,” he said.
Is this Leeds side better than it was this time 12 months ago?
Last season, Leeds were still working out who was the best option at right-back. An issue that never really sorted itself out. Junior Firpo was not in the side, Glen Kamara was in the middle of the park for Leeds.
Wilfried Gnonto was struggling to get in, and there was a debate over swapping Rutter and Joel Piroe. This season, there isn’t any of that selection confusion. Every player is currently picking themselves.
The entire side is easy to choose. Leeds have eight clean sheets in 13 and the back five picks itself, in Illan Meslier, Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Firpo. Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell in the middle.
Leeds don’t really have any other options there, unless Josuha Guilavogui is given a start. USA’s Brenden Aaronson has four goals and is starring as the 10, with Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James on the flanks.
Piroe up top. Leeds look more balanced, more-rounded and with much better depth on the bench than they did at times last season – even with Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev and Largie Ramazani out injured.
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