Predicted Leeds XI to face Bristol City: £5m man returns, as major left-back call made

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Leeds United will be looking to make it back-to-back wins for the first time in almost a year against Bristol City this afternoon.

The Whites bounced back from their 3-1 defeat at Southampton last weekend to beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 on Wednesday, moving into the play-off places.

That said, Daniel Farke will be eager for his side to produce a better performance today than against QPR, with the second half arguably the flattest it’s been all season.

Having made four changes to his line-up on Wednesday, Farke again has some selection dilemmas on his hands, with some players doubtful through injury.

Here is our predicted XI for the game.

Goalkeeper

With five clean sheets in his last six matches, Illan Meslier continues in goal.

Defence

With Jamie Shackleton, Djed Spence and Junior Firpo all injured, Luke Ayling looks set to keep his place at right-back after returning in midweek.

Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk are likely to continue their ever improving partnership at centre-back, with the big call in defence coming at left-back.

It is not yet certain whether Sam Byram is capable of playing three matches in a week, though Farke seemed fairly optimistic in his press conference and so gets the nod again.

Midfield

Alongside Struijk, Ethan Ampadu has played every minute of every league game so far and keeps his place in midfield.

Archie Gray joined him against QPR on Wednesday night and was good, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Glen Kamara brought back in.

Attack

Patrick Bamford has staked his claim for a start after his cameo on Wednesday, though it would be wise to continue building his fitness as a substitute.

Georginio Rutter, Joel Piroe and Crysencio Summerville all look certain to keep their places in attack, leaving Jaidon Anthony and Dan James to fight it out for that last spot.

Anthony was impressive on his full debut but with Farke rating his availability as 50/50, it is likely James comes back in.

Predicted XI: Meslier; Ayling, Rodon, Struijk, Byram; Ampadu, Kamara; James, Piroe, Summerville; Rutter