Predicted Leeds United XI to face Derby… Two changes as Daniel Farke makes Brenden Aaronson decision

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Daniel Farke needs to consider making some changes to his Leeds United starting XI to face Derby County.

Leeds produced one of their poorest performances of the season in defeat at Blackburn Rovers last weekend and so Farke needs to show to some players they aren’t just guaranteed starters.

Junior Firpo is Leeds’ only fresh injury doubt heading into the clash at Elland Road, though Sam Byram will once again be absent with a hamstring issue.

Ethan Ampadu is now back in training after 10 weeks out and it will be interesting to see if Farke throws him straight back into the squad considering his comments on Thursday. Isaac Schmidt is also available again.

Here is our predicted Leeds XI.

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Goalkeeper

Illan Meslier continues between the sticks.

Defence

If Firpo is any kind of injury doubt there is no point risking him ahead of another busy week. Max Wober could start for the first time this season, with Byram out and Schmidt only just back from injury.

The rest of the defence very much picks itself as Jayden Bogle starts on the right, with Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk at centre-back. If Rodon can get through this match without a yellow card, he will no longer be at risk of a suspension.

Midfield

Farke labelled Ampadu as Leeds’ most important player when discussing his fitness this week. However, despite his temptation to throw him straight back in, it is highly unlikely.

Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell probably had their worst game together at Ewood Park, but still deserve to keep their place here.

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Attack

The front four is where Farke faces his biggest selection dilemmas as all of his attacking options are now fully fit and available.

Brenden Aaronson was poor last week and should be dropped after a run of 16 successive league starts. Farke needs to find a way of fitting at least three of the wingers into the XI as they are all in better form and this is the easiest way.

It would be great to see Largie Ramazani back in from the start but Farke looks likely to continue easing him back into the fold, meaning Manor Solomon, Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James get the nod.

Joel Piroe was again ineffective from the start last time out but these sort of home matches are probably the ones where he should be in the line-up.