Early predicted Leeds XI to face Sheffield United as Brenden Aaronson and Illan Meslier calls made

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Leeds United return to Championship action with a Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United at Elland Road next Friday.

Leeds could not really have asked for a more difficult fixture to comeback to after the international break, with the Blades the only remaining unbeaten side in the EFL.

Once again, the vast majority of Daniel Farke‘s squad are away with their respective countries, which is far from ideal considering the game is on a Friday night.

Farke is hoping to welcome back both Manor Solomon and Dan James, though, which would provide a huge boost to his options off the bench.

Here is our early predicted XI for the match.

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Goalkeeper

Illan Meslier’s horrific error at Sunderland last time out means he will be very much under the microscope for this one, but Farke will stick with his man.

Defence

Jayden Bogle and Joe Rodon are already just one booking away from a suspension but thankfully will be available for this one, providing the latter comes through international duty with Wales unscathed.

Pascal Struijk had been struggling with his adductors a couple of weeks ago and so this period of rest will have undoubtedly done him well.

Junior Firpo is in action for the Dominican Republic late on Tuesday night but will be needed in the starting line-up for this one, as long as he is fit.

Midfield

Farke does not appear to want Leeds to dip into the free agent market and so his options in midfield are pretty limited until January due to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev’s injuries.

Joe Rothwell proved on his full league debut for Leeds at Sunderland what an asset he could be in the coming months, and so starts again here.

Ao Tanaka will join him, again as long as he comes through international duty without any problems, as Japan face both Saudi Arabia and Australia.

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Attack

The Leeds boss faces his biggest selection headaches in attack. Joel Piroe started at number nine last time out, and he could keep his place once again.

Mateo Joseph has led the line well, but with Spain U21s in action on Tuesday evening, Farke may stick with Piroe to ensure the team is as fresh as possible.

Brenden Aaronson is Leeds’ biggest doubt for the game, as USA are in action away in Mexico during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Unless he pulls out of the squad early, it feels like a massive ask for him to start given how little time he will have to recover.

If Farke does decide not to risk him, Solomon could return straight to the XI after injury, with Wilfried Gnonto starting centrally, and Largie Ramazani making up the rest of the team.

Predicted XI: Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Tanaka, Rothwell; Ramazani, Gnonto, Solomon; Piroe