Daniel Farke could be obliged to make changes to his Leeds United starting lineup against Cardiff City.
Not only may his team benefit from a rest after their first defeat of the season against Burnley, but Leeds also has a few injury concerns heading into the game.
Joe Rodon, Junior Firpo, Joe Rothwell, and Manor Solomon have all been nursing injuries this week, with the latter considered the most likely to miss out.
However, there is some good news: Patrick Bamford and Max Wober may return to the squad after missing the previous match at Elland Road.
Here’s our expected Leeds XI for the match.
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier continues to play as the goalkeeper.
Defence
Despite Farke’s statements concerning Firpo, he was spotted in Leeds’ most recent indoor training video and should be fit enough to start against South Wales.
Jayden Bogle has faced criticism for his start at Leeds, and despite both Sam Byram and Isaac Schmidt attempting to replace him, Farke is unlikely to make a change at right-back.
Rodon missed two training sessions this week, but if he’s close to full fitness, he should start alongside Pascal Struijk again.
Midfield
Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev have started all five league games this season, but it’s time for a change in that part of the field.
Leeds’ lack of inventiveness was emphasized in their defeat to Burnley, thus with Ampadu one of the first names on the squad sheet, Gruev must be dropped.
As a result, Ao Tanaka, who has made two substitute appearances for Leeds, should be given his complete debut.
Attack
If Solomon is genuinely injured, there is little purpose in risking him for a game against the bottom of the table, given how much football he has missed in the last year.
Largie Ramazani should replace him, starting on the right side, allowing Wilfried Gnonto to return to the left.
The remaining front four consists of Brenden Aaronson and Mateo Joseph, with the latter hoping to get back on the scoresheet after his costly miss last weekend.
Predicted lineup: Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Ampadu, Tanaka; Ramazani, Aaronson, Gnonto; Joseph.
