Daniel Farke’s starting XI for Leeds United against Leicester City tonight pretty much picks itself.
The Championship’s top two are set to go head-to-head under the lights at Elland Road as Leeds look to make it nine consecutive league wins.
The Whites will welcome back Jaidon Anthony to the squad after he missed last weekend’s win at Plymouth Argyle, while Patrick Bamford also has an outside chance of returning.
However, it is highly unlikely that either of those two will be starting, and so Farke only really has one or two big selection dilemmas ahead of arguably the biggest game of the season.
So, with that in mind, here is our predicted XI.
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier produced one of his best displays of the season last weekend and so, of course, keeps his place in goal.
Defence
A case could be made for Connor Roberts to come in at right-back due to his experience of big matches at this level, but Farke is likely to place his trust in Archie Gray again.
On the other flank, Junior Firpo continues at left-back with Sam Byram not yet fit enough to return, with Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu starting in central defence together for the seventh match in a row.
Midfield
Due to the selection decisions made elsewhere, the midfield once again picks itself, with Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara continuing their very impressive partnership.
Attack
It is at right-wing undoubtedly where Farke faces his biggest decision. Willy Gnonto has been excellent in recent weeks and has scored five goals in as many starts.
However, there could be arguments made for Dan James coming into start for the first time since returning from injury due to his off-the-ball attributes.
With how Farke has picked his team this season, it is likely that he will show loyalty to the man in form – Gnonto. Joel Piroe, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter make up the rest of the attack, given that any call made on Bamford, will have to be a late one.
Predicted XI: Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville; Piroe
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