Predicted Leeds United XI to face Blackburn… Two changes as Daniel Farke finally hands 20-year-old recall

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Daniel Farke could be tempted to make some changes to his Leeds United XI against Blackburn Rovers today.

The Whites have seen their automatic promotion push falter in recent weeks having picked up just five points from their last four matches since the international break.

Coventry City handed Leeds their first loss of 2024 last weekend but Farke opted to go with an unchanged side against Sunderland on Tuesday, a decision which ultimately backfired.

Farke has plenty of options on his bench he can call upon this afternoon and pundits including Aidy White have called on him to make a couple of changes.

Here is our predicted XI for today’s clash.

Goalkeeper

Illan Meslier kept another Championship clean sheet in midweek and keeps his place between the sticks.

Defence

The first change to the starting XI comes at right-back, as Connor Roberts‘ experience is called upon for just his second league start since joining from Burnley.

Roberts has been there and done that at this level before, and joins Wales international teammates Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu in the back four.

Junior Firpo is likely to keep his place at left-back, though Sam Byram will be hopeful of returning to the side.

Midfield

With Roberts returning in defence, that should free up Archie Gray to move into his best position of midfield. He comes in for Glen Kamara after a disappointing couple of weeks for him.

Gray, of course, is joined by Ilia Gruev in the engine room, who will be tasked with shielding the back four once again.

Attack

The second and final change Farke could make to his line-up is bringing Willy Gnonto back in for his first start since returning from injury.

He should replace Dan James on the right, who has been disappointing in the last few weeks after missing that penalty for Wales. Crysencio Summerville is on the other flank.

Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph could both put strong cases forward for coming into the side, but it is difficult to see Farke moving away from that Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter partnership.