Leeds United begin their Championship campaign at Elland Road against Cardiff City tomorrow.
The Whites will be hopeful of a winning start after picking up some momentum in their final two matches of pre-season, beating both Nottingham Forest and Hearts without conceding.
Daniel Farke has already confirmed he has a number of injury concerns to contend with heading into the game, but still has plenty available in his squad to field a strong XI.
Georginio Rutter, Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph are among those who have been ruled out, while Jack Harrison, Sam Greenwood, Tyler Adams and Stuart Dallas remain long-term absentees.
So, with that in mind, here is how we predict Leeds will line-up.
Goalkeeper
Despite completing the signing of Karl Darlow from Newcastle United last weekend, Farke has already confirmed Illan Meslier will start on Sunday.
Meslier enjoyed an impressive pre-season after a difficult end to the 2022/23 campaign, and is therefore set to get the nod.
Defence
Cody Drameh missed the final two friendlies with a hamstring injury but Farke did not provide any sort of update on his fitness, which would indicate he is back in contention.
However, with his injury coming at the worst possible time, Luke Ayling is set to start at right-back, with Leo Hjelde lining up on the other flank.
If the starting XI at Hearts is anything to go by, Charlie Cresswell may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper in central defence.
Midfield
This feels like a position that almost picks itself at this stage of the season, meaning both Archie Gray and Ethan Ampadu will be handed their competitive debuts alongside one another.
Darko Gyabi is also an option in the centre of the park, but Gray has been the preferred choice in that position over the summer.
Attack
Attack is where Farke has the majority of his selection headaches with the aforementioned Rutter, Bamford and Joseph all out injured.
Though their best positions lay elsewhere, it feels as though it is between Wilfried Gnonto and Joe Gelhardt to lead the line, but the former should get the nod despite ongoing speculation surrounding a £30m exit.
Despite Ian Poveda’s excellent pre-season displays, Crysencio Summerville is likely to keep his place alongside Luis Sinisterra and Dan James in the three behind the striker.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Ayling, Struijk, Cooper, Hjelde; Ampadu, Gray; Summerville, Sinisterra, James; Gnonto
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