Predicted Leeds XI to face Huddersfield; Four changes as 32-year-old starts, £5m man also returns

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Leeds United will be looking for both an improvement in performance and result against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

Daniel Farke’s side were beaten 1-0 at Stoke City on Wednesday evening in what was arguably the most disappointing display of the German’s time in charge so far.

Leeds were poor in possession and once again showed their frailties from defending corners, as they lost more ground to the top two Leicester City and Ipswich Town, who continue to keep winning.

Farke made three changes to his side at the bet365 Stadium and given the disappointment of Wednesday night, he is expected to make several for the weekend.

So, with that in mind, here is our predicted XI for the West Yorkshire derby at Elland Road.

Goalkeeper

Illan Meslier continues his record of starting every league game so far this season and keeps his place between the sticks.

Defence

Archie Gray has played a ridiculous amount of football this month for someone who is only 17, and therefore should drop to the bench. Luke Ayling comes in for him.

Elsewhere in the back four it is likely to be more of the same with Djed Spence and Junior Firpo still out, meaning Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Sam Byram make up the rest of the back four.

Midfield

Ilia Gruev was finally handed his full Leeds debut on Wednesday but struggled to make any sort of impact, meaning £5 million man Glen Kamara returns in his place.

Ethan Ampadu also continues his record of starting every game in all competitions this season since his summer move from Chelsea.

Attack

Farke rotated his wide men against Stoke and in all honesty, it did not work at all. Crysencio Summerville and Dan James should both return to the starting XI in place of Jaidon Anthony and Willy Gnonto.

Despite another quiet night for Joel Piroe, he starts again just in behind Georginio Rutter, who was comfortably Leeds’ best player on Wednesday.

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