Leeds United take on Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, and the news that everyone did not want to hear has been confirmed by Daniel Farke.
Speaking to the press on Thursday afternoon, it was revealed that Leeds will likely be without Dan James or Junior Firpo after Farke’s injury update yesterday.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LeedsLeeds | 45 | 28 | 13 | 4 | 93 | 29 | 64 | 97 |
| 2 |  BurnleyBurnley | 45 | 27 | 16 | 2 | 66 | 15 | 51 | 97 |
| 3 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 45 | 28 | 7 | 10 | 62 | 35 | 27 | 89 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 45 | 21 | 13 | 11 | 58 | 43 | 15 | 76 |
| 5 |  Bristol CityBristol City | 45 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 57 | 53 | 4 | 67 |
| 6 |  CoventryCoventry | 45 | 19 | 9 | 17 | 62 | 58 | 4 | 66 |
Daniel Farke’s side will be eyeing the league title on their way up from the Championship and back to the Premier League after sealing promotion in recent weeks and battering Stoke City and Bristol City in their final games at Elland Road.
Leeds haven’t got a full squad to choose from, though, which could cause a change or two. However, the other factor is that there are a number of players perhaps featuring in a Leeds shirt for the last time. Farke may not want to be too sentimental, but there are a handful who could be handed a start at Home Park.
Leeds United team and injury news vs Plymouth Argyle
The race for the title has gone to the final day, with Burnley still matching Leeds every step of the way so far. Both sides sit on 97 points and will finish on 100 if they secure victories this weekend.
Leeds will be hoping for that and to secure the title on goal difference at Home Park if Burnley also beat Millwall. The game will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports, and Opta’s supercomputer believes they will get the job done and David Prutton is backing a Leeds win as well.
Speaking to the media pre-match, Farke outlined the issues he is having to contend with. He said: “Firpo has some light hamstring problems after the last game and it will be a tight call. He has not been able to train, he could train tomorrow.
“Dan James has slightly improved, but also today — no team training. If he is in team training tomorrow, of course he will travel with us tomorrow due to his importance. But another tight race for him.
“Isaac Schmidt had knee problems and it has not settled. There is still a chance, but it will be a tight call. Good news with Joe Rothwell, he can train today with us — he won’t be able to play for 90 minutes.
“But he could be a member of the squad if he comes through training today and tomorrow. Of course, Pascal Struijk and Sam Chambers will be out. The rest are ready to go.”
Joe Rothwell was supposed to be fit again for the Bristol City but he has been out for a while now and thus is unlikely to return to the starting lineup in what could also be his final game for the club when his loan ends.
Leeds United predicted lineup vs Plymouth Argyle on Saturday
Plymouth Argyle are currently sitting in 23rd place of the Championship table under current boss Miron Muslic. It’s a game Leeds would expect a win from on paper, but the Firpo problem is a big one given his attacking output down the left.
EFL expert Ali Maxwell of NTT20 has also backed a Leeds win, stating they are one of the best Championship sides ever alongside Marco Silva’s Fulham team of three years ago. Firpo has been a huge part of that, given the relentless nature of how he and Jayden Bogle attack from full-back.
That said, in front of Karl Darlow, we can expect to see Firpo drop out of the XI for Sam Byram. The versatile full-back could also be featuring in his last ever game for Leeds. The Whites are settled with three of the other back four in Bogle, Ethan Ampadu, and Joe Rodon.
Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev will operate at the base of midfield, while Willy Gnonto has been a part of the side in place of Dan James for some time now. Despite Largie Ramazani’s heroics against Bristol City, Manor Solomon will be utilised down the left flank.
The central attacking pair have been Brenden Aaronson and Joel Piroe. However, the former has a contributed to just one goal in the last 15 Championship outings. Perhaps that paves the way for Patrick Bamford to go out with a flourish, if he is to be let go of this summer.
Bamford has been with the club for almost seven years now, having signed from Middlesbrough in 2018 for a fee of £7 million rising to £10 million with add-ons (BBC Sport). He could function as part of a front two with the Dutchman, should Farke choose for him to have one last dance in a Leeds shirt.
Here’s how we think Leeds United will look Saturday…
Darlow (GK)
Bogle
Rodon
Ampadu
Firpo
Tanaka
Gruev
Gnonto
Piroe
Solomon
Bamford
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