A look at the possibilities Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has at his disposal for today’s Championship match against Coventry City at the CBS Arena.
On paper, a trip to Coventry City appears to be Leeds United’s most difficult assignment remaining in the Championship season. The Sky Blues, who were defeated in the play-off final by Luton Town last season, remain hopeful of making the playoffs.
Despite losing 2-1 to Cardiff City on Easter Monday, Mark Robins’ club remains in seventh place, four points behind Norwich City but with one game in hand. Coventry have only lost three home games this season and have advanced to the FA Cup semi-finals.
They also have Ellis Simms, a striker who is in top form. The former Everton forward has 11 goals in the Sky Blues’ previous seven league and cup games.
United manager Daniel Farke has urged his team to maintain their high standards against a quality Coventry side. “If you want to be successful against a really good side you have to show compactness,” he went on to say. “If you lose your cool and open up, thinking you have to outrun them in the first five minutes, it never works. It’s not a do-or-die situation like a cup competition in which you must win.”
Farke will be without several first-team players, including Jamie Shackleton, Wilfried Gnonto, Connor Roberts, Pascal Struijk, and Stuart Dallas. The duel will most likely come too soon for Ilia Gruev (ankle).
Charlie Crew, who recently appeared in United’s FA Youth Cup semi-final triumph over Millwall, is unlikely to be named to the matchday squad.
Leeds United’s Coventry City squad includes Meslier, Darlow, Klaesson, Gray, Rodon, Firpo, Byram, Cooper, Cresswell, Ampadu, Kamara, James, Summerville, Anthony, Bamford, Piroe, Rutter, Gelhardt, and Joseph.