Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has chosen his starting lineup for Saturday’s Championship match against Huddersfield Town.
The Whites enter the game on a stunning nine-game winning streak to start 2024, with seven clean sheets.
Farke rotated his side for the disappointing 3-2 FA Cup loss to Chelsea in midweek, and the German has made six changes for the match against Huddersfield, according to the club’s official Twitter account [2 March].
Georginio Rutter and Ilia Gruev were both deemed doubtful before into the game, but both are expected to start at John Smith’s Stadium.
Illan Meslier continues to play in goal, with Archie Gray, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, and Junior Firpo forming a solid back four.
Fit-again Gruev plays with Glen Kamara in holding midfield, while Farke has picked for a forward four of Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto, Rutter, and Patrick Bamford.
Dani van den Heuvel, Kristoffer Klaesson, and Jamie Shackleton were all substitutes at Stamford Bridge but are not in the team to face Huddersfield.
Leeds United are at full strength versus Huddersfield.
There were some fitness concerns ahead of this West Yorkshire derby, but Farke has called up all of his star players.
Even if one or two were unavailable, such as Gruev, Farke would have had other possibilities to fill the void for the time being.
As things stand, Gray and Ampadu will play defense, while Bamford will start up front.
A fit-again Rutter playing immediately off Bamford is a huge boost for Farke, while Daniel James and Joel Piroe will be ready to go off the bench.
That is not to mention Mateo Joseph, who demonstrated his full potential in the close loss to Chelsea.
Leeds also has the advantage of playing before Leicester City and Southampton this weekend, which they must not squander as things heat up.
