Predicted Leeds United XI to face Preston North End: 23-year-old keeps his place as centre-back call made

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Leeds United return to Championship action with a home match against Preston North End tomorrow.

The Whites will be looking for some quick revenge on PNE after their Boxing Day defeat at Deepdale, in what was a hugely frustrating afternoon for Daniel Farke’s side.

However, in recent weeks, Leeds have put to bed their back-to-back defeats between Christmas and New Year, winning three consecutive matches 3-0, with their unbeaten run at Elland Road still intact.

Farke has a couple of injury issues to contend with ahead of the game, with Pascal Struijk having been joined by Willy Gnonto on the sidelines. Sam Byram and Liam Cooper, though, could be fit.

So, with that in mind, here is our predicted XI for the match.

Goalkeeper

Following his red card in the return fixture, Illan Meslier will be eager to put that right between the sticks tomorrow lunchtime.

Defence

Farke’s biggest decision arguably comes at the back, with Cooper having now returned from injury. The Leeds manager likes to play with a right and left-footer at centre-back, but should resist doing that in this game.

Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon have both been excellent in the last two matches and should start alongside one another today.

Junior Firpo also deserves to keep his place ahead of Byram after hitting a decent run of form, with Archie Gray completing the back four despite his difficult afternoon at Deepdale.

Midfield

The decision to continue with Ampadu at centre-back hands Ilia Gruev the chance to start for a third consecutive game, having produced his best display in a Leeds shirt at Cardiff City. It will also be his full home debut.

He is again likely to be joined by Glen Kamara, who complemented Gruev really well last week.

Attack

The front four once again pretty much picks itself, and even more so with Gnonto a major doubt due to an issue with his hip flexors.

Patrick Bamford has scored three in three and so gets the nod over Joel Piroe, with Georginio Rutter, Dan James and Crysencio Summerville also starting.

Predicted XI: Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara; James, Rutter, Summerville, Bamford