The conceivable lineup that the German head coach could field against the Terriers.
Leeds United return to Championship action on Saturday, travelling out from Elland Road to face Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town.
During the week, the Whites were distracted from their pursuit of automatic promotion to the Premier League by an FA Cup match against top-flight team Chelsea.
Unfortunately, Daniel Farke’s team was unable to advance to the competition’s quarter-finals when the hosts won 3-2 at Stamford Bridge thanks to a late goal from Conor Gallagher.
Following that clash, and before of this game against Huddersfield, the German head coach confirmed that Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville, and Patrick Bamford will all be eligible for selection, although Ilia Gruev remains a doubt.
With this injury news in mind, Farke may make a few changes to the starting XI that appeared in London, and here is FFC’s predicted Leeds line-up to face the Terriers on Saturday.
1. Illan Meslier.
Illan Meslier should start between the sticks once more. He has been the manager’s first choice shot stopper throughout the Championship season, and he started against the Blues on Wednesday night.
2. Archie Gray.
Despite an outstanding performance in the middle of the park against Chelsea last week, in which he won Player of the Match, Archie Gray could return to his right-back position.
3. Joe Rodon
Wales international Joe Rodon should start in the centre of the defence. The on-loan Tottenham Hotspur colossus has been a standout defender for the Whites this season.
He has won 66% of his individual duels in the Championship during the 2023/24 season, demonstrating that opposition attacks rarely outperform him on the ground or in the air.
4. Liam Cooper
Along with the Spurs loanee, Farke may continue with captain Liam Cooper owing to Gruev’s uncertain availability, which might mean Ethan Ampadu is required in midfield and will be unable to return to centre-back.
The Scotland international had a mixed performance against Chelsea on Wednesday. He won 100% (4/4) of his ground duels on the night, although he was caught off guard by Nicolas Jackson and Gallagher’s pace and agility on the first and third goals, as they moved too rapidly for him to handle.
5. Junior Firpo
Junior Firpo could preserve his place as left-back despite a dismal performance against Chelsea. FFC named him one of the night’s worst players, second only to Joel Piroe, since his defending on all three goals left much to be desired.
All three of Chelsea’s goals came down the former Barcelona full-back’s side, and Gallagher had enough room to turn and face Cooper when Firpo stepped in and utterly missed the player and ball.
However, he is the squad’s sole natural left-back and has provided a powerful attacking threat down the left flank in the Championship, with four assists in nine games.
6. Ethan Ampadu
As previously said with Cooper’s inclusion, Ampadu might keep his place in the middle of the park following a composed performance for Leeds against his former team.
At Stamford Bridge, the Wales international completed 94% of his attempted passes and won four of six midfield duels for Farke’s side.
7. Glen Kamara
The first alteration to the starting lineup might see Glen Kamara replace Gray, with the 17-year-old sliding back in at right-back in central midfield.
He was an unused substitute in Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat in London and could return to the squad fresh and ready to perform well against Huddersfield.
8. Wilfried Gnonto
The second change to the starting lineup might see Wilfried Gnonto return to replace Welsh winger Dan James, who Farke may bench.
9. Georgio Rutter
Rutter should replace Piroe in the starting XI at number ten after Farke confirmed his availability.
The Dutch attacker was poor against Chelsea – with zero goals, zero assists, and 67% duels lost – and should drop out to make way for the French gem.
Rutter, who was once hailed as “clinical” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has racked up six goals and 11 assists in the Championship so far this season, and could blow th Terriers away with his attacking talent.
10 Crysencio Summerville.
The fourth and final change to the starting lineup might come from the left. Despite a strong performance at Stamford Bridge, Jaidon Anthony could be replaced by Leeds’ Summerville.
In the Championship this season, no Whites player has scored more goals (15) than the Dutch jewel, and only Rutter (11) has supplied more assists than the 22-year-old genius (eight).
Anthony provided both of the team’s goals against Chelsea, but he has one goal and zero assists in 23 league games this season, which is why Farke may bring his star striker back into the starting lineup.
11. Mateo Joseph
Finally, Mateo Joseph may have more luck than the Bournemouth loanee, as he could be given another start following his outstanding performance against the Blues.
Bamford has been struggling with minor calf and ankle injuries, so he may not be fully fit, and Piroe did not do enough against Chelsea to suggest that he deserves to lead the line, leaving the door open for the 20-year-old genius to start.
The England U20 international scored both of his team’s goals on the night, both of which were assisted by Anthony, and will now look to score his first Championship goal on Saturday.
