On their return from the international break, Leeds United will welcome Burnley at Elland Road.
Despite huge summer exits for both, Leeds and Burnley are many people’s favourites for automatic promotion this season, with both already in the top six.
Between now and the game in seven days, Leeds has several players away representing their nationalities.
Daniel Farke will be hoping that everyone returns to full fitness, given the potential importance of the game and how injuries to Wilfried Gnonto, Connor Roberts, and Ilia Gruev before the March break wrecked their promotion bid last season.
So, with that in mind, here’s our expected lineup for the game.
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier, a goalkeeper who has maintained three consecutive clean sheets, is among the few players who are not on international service.
Defence
Along with Meslier, Jayden Bogle and Pascal Struijk have had a few weeks to rest and recover, which will undoubtedly benefit the latter after returning from injury last month.
Joe Rodon and Junior Firpo, on the other hand, have matches to complete before their availability is verified, but they will begin if no problems arise.
New signing. Isaac Schmidt might make his first matchday squad since leaving FC St. Gallen on deadline day.
In midfield,
Farke may consider giving Ao Tanaka his complete debut following a strong performance against Hull City.
However, it appears unlikely that he will break apart the partnership of Ethan Ampadu and Gruev following a win, assuming they return from international duty completely healthy.
Attack
Farke may need to make a move in the attack position owing of Brenden Aaronson’s second game against USA.
They play in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and given Leeds’ game on Saturday midday, it wouldn’t be surprising if he isn’t ready to start.
Dan James, assuming he has recovered from a hamstring injury, might take his spot in the XI, potentially moving Gnonto inside. The team’s remaining members are Manor Solomon and Mateo Joseph.
Predicted lineup: Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Ampadu, Gruev; James, Gnonto, Solomon, Joseph.
