Plymouth have a clear weakness that Leeds United can exploit as Manor Solomon decision needs to be made

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After a rare clear midweek, Leeds United are back in action on Saturday when they host Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road.

Daniel Farke will be have been pleased to have been able to work with his squad for a full week following the goalless draw at Bristol City on Saturday which he feels they should have won.

Leeds begin the weekend third in the Championship table and will be the clear favourites to beat a Plymouth side that sit 21st in the table, just one place and one point above the drop zone.

Here are three things to look out for ahead of the Saturday 3pm kick-off.

Is Manor Solomon up to speed?

Farke’s biggest team selection issue concerns his widemen, with Largie Ramazani still out and Dan James a doubt with a hamstring issue.

This could open the door for Manor Solomon to start for just the third time this season. The Spurs loanee struggled with a hamstring problem of his own before returning against Watford but has so-far failed to show what he capable of.

With this the first of three games in a week, Farke will need to utilise his squad well and if Solomon can deliver the kind of performance he is capable of, it will be a timely boost for Leeds.

The other selection issue is, on the face of it, relatively easy, as it would be a surprise if Sam Byram did not replace the suspended Jayden Bogle at right-back after he seamlessly slotted in at left-back in Junior Firpo’s absence last weekend.

• READ MORE: Predicted Leeds United XI to face Plymouth… Four changes as Daniel Farke hands out a full Elland Road debut

Is this the game Leeds take off the handbreak?

We’re a quarter of the way into the season and although Leeds are outside the top two on goal difference, Farke’s side are living up to their label of one of the pre-season favourites for promotion.

A host of opposition managers have admitted Leeds are the best team they have played this season, but this dominance has not yet resulted in a big, confidence-boosting thrashing.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
19	Stoke CityStoke City	12	3	3	6	13	17	-4	12
20	CardiffCardiff	12	3	3	6	11	18	-7	12
21	PlymouthPlymouth	12	3	3	6	13	22	-9	12
22	LutonLuton	12	3	2	7	14	20	-6	11
23	QPRQPR	12	1	6	5	11	19	-8	9

Plymouth have shipped in 22 goals in their 12 matches this season, including three in their last game against Preston and five against a struggling Cardiff team, suggesting they have a soft underbelly.

Everyone at the club will take the three points however they would come, but is this the game which sees Leeds take the handbrake off and score a big win?

Wayne Rooney’s reception

Wayne Rooney is the most high-profile manager that Leeds are likely to welcome to Elland Road in the Championship this season and his Manchester United past will obviously ensure he gets the full pantomime villain treatment.

We probably won’t be able to publish what is sung to him on these pages, but it should make for a crackling Elland Road atmosphere that the Leeds players will hopefully feed off.

Supporters will also revel in an opportunity to add to Rooney’s history of bad days facing Leeds United, stretching back to his role in Leeds’ iconic 2010 FA Cup third round win over Manchester United.

Rooney was also part of the Derby team that gave Leeds a guard of honour at the end of the 2019/20 Championship season before wiping the floor with them and his first trip to Elland Road as a manager saw his Birmingham City side lose 3-0 on New Year’s Day this year, with the sack duly following.