A look at Daniel Farke’s choices for today’s Yorkshire Derby.
Daniel Farke adores a Derby. His Leeds United club has gone undefeated in their previous 16 Yorkshire derbies (W12 D4), with the Whites winning more points in such games than any of their Yorkshire rivals (25).
The Championship leaders travel to relegation-threatened Hull City today, knowing a point will be enough to keep them at the top. United will be heavy favourites to win the local bragging rights and take another step toward a Premier League comeback. Not that Farke is taking anything for granted after a “exhausting” holiday season.
“You always have to be switched on to prepare for the next opponent,” Farke told reporters. “It always helps to have good results, like we have in the last few weeks. The attitude is pleasant and you notice the development.
“Once you’re at the top of the league, it’s usually a great scenario, but there’s still a lot of work to be done, and you have to be very focused.
“It’s been a busy, difficult period in terms of workload, but I’m used to it.” I understand December and January are difficult months in the Championship.”
Following the New Year’s Day tie with Blackburn Rovers, Farke appeared optimistic that full-backs Sam Byram (sickness) and Jayden Bogle (dead leg) would be cleared to play. Max Wober is available to come in at left-back if Bryam is not risked.
Junior Firpo’s journey to the MKM Stadium has come too soon. Ilia Gruev, a midfielder, has been out with a knee injury for quite some time.
Leeds United team against Hull City: Meslier, Darlow, Cairns, Bogle, Struijk, Rodon, Struijk, Debayo, Schmidt, James, Gnonto, Ampadu, Rothwell, Tanaka, Guilavogui, Crew, Solomon, Ramazani, Aaronson, Piroe, Joseph, Bamford, Gelhardt.
