Predicted Leeds United XI to face Sunderland: Two changes as left-back decision made, 20-year-old starts

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Leeds United face a quick turnaround to action from the weekend with a trip to Sunderland this evening.

The Whites picked up a solid 2-0 win away at Blackburn Rovers at Saturday but know they cannot afford to slip up with the top two continuing their relentless start to the season.

With such a busy period of fixtures now underway, Daniel Farke will need to manage the squad carefully in the coming weeks and so could make a change or two at the Stadium of Light.

Both Sam Byram and Jamie Shackleton have joined Junior Firpo and Stuart Dallas on the treatment table since the win at Ewood Park, meaning there is also a big decision at left-back.

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

Goalkeeper

Illan Meslier is handed another start between the sticks.

Defence

With Byram, Firpo and Shackleton out injured, Leeds are extremely short at left-back and so will be forced to play someone out of position at Sunderland.

Djed Spence came on for just his second league appearance for Leeds at the weekend in place of the injured Byram and so could well be handed his first start for the club tonight.

Elsewhere, the defence is likely to remain unchanged with Archie Gray at right-back, and Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk continuing their centre-back partnership.

Midfield

Ethan Ampadu and Glen Kamara started for the seventh consecutive game in midfield on Saturday and could well do so again tonight.

However, Ilia Gruev will no doubt be pushing for just his second Leeds start over the coming weeks with such a busy period up ahead. Whether that comes tomorrow night, though, is uncertain.

Attack

Leeds’ front four continued their fine form at the weekend but it would certainly be wise to rotate over the coming weeks in order to keep everyone fresh.

With that in mind, Willy Gnonto will be hoping for a rare start and therefore could come in on the right, in place of Dan James, who can make the difference off the bench.

Georginio Rutter, Joel Piroe and Crysencio Summerville again make up the remainder of the front four.

Predicted XI: Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Struijk, Spence; Ampadu, Kamara; Gnonto, Piroe, Summerville, Rutter