Daniel Farke is still sweating over the fitness of striker Lukas Nmecha as he prepares for a difficult away test against Sunderland.
Although Leeds have enjoyed a recent upturn in form, Daniel Farke must find a way to improve his side’s Premier League away form.
He has the perfect chance to do so against Sunderland, as Leeds showed they are capable of being more resilient in their last away outing against Brentford.
However, the Leeds boss has several difficult selection decisions to make, as he continues to wait to reunite Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in attack.
As Leeds prepare for their first Premier League trip to the Stadium of Light since James Milner’s dramatic first goal for the club, here is how we think they could line up.
Would you make any changes for Sunderland? 🤔
Predicted XI for Leeds United v Sunderland
All of Daniel Farke’s most important selection calls are in attack and midfield, as he looks to continue Leeds’ recent upturn in results.
Barring any unexpected injuries between now and kick-off, Farke is expected to stick with his usual back six, as Lucas Perri lines up behind Pascal Struijk, Jaka Bijol and Joe Rodon, with Gabriel Gudmundsson acting as wing-backs.
Ao Tanaka recently received a prestigious accolade after being named in the JPFA Team of the Year. However, Farke will stick with Brenden Aaronson in midfield after his impressive display against Crystal Palace helped add new energy to the Leeds midfield.
Aaronson will line up alongside Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu in Leeds’ midfield three, with one final conundrum for Farke over the make-up of his attack.
Farke admitted that Nmecha is doubtful for the trip to Wearside, which means Noah Okafor is likely to retain his place in the Leeds line-up, with Joel Piroe’s first-team exile set to continue for another week.
Leeds United looking to avoid 24-year Premier League first
Although Leeds have met frequently in the Championship in recent years, the Whites have not faced Sunderland in the Premier League since December 2002.
According to 11v11, Leeds had the better of the meetings between the two sides when they were both in the top flight at the end of the 20th century, with Leeds winning their first six consecutive games against the Black Cats.
Brenden Aaronson deserves to start ahead of Ao Tanaka against Sunderland. Discuss… 🤔
Leeds have only lost once away from home against Sunderland in the Premier League, when they lost 2-0 on Seth Johnson’s first start for the club in November 2001.
That game handed Sunderland their first home win against Leeds in 21 years, and they have achieved just three league wins against the Whites at the Stadium of Light since. The most recent came in December 2023.
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