Gray in midfield, James starts: Leeds United predicted XI to face Stoke City – View
Leeds United take on Stoke City on Tuesday night looking to get back to winning ways after a drab 1-1 draw at Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
The matches keep on coming for Leeds and Daniel Farke, facing the second of three within the space of six days this Tuesday night.
Stoke City are Leeds’ opponents, who make the trip to Elland Road buoyed by their win at the weekend to move within goal difference of safety.
Leeds team news: Firpo a doubt, Anthony and Shackleton out
Farke’s pre-match press conference didn’t bring any major worries for the squad ahead of the home clash with the Potters, as Junior Firpo is the only regular starter that looks to be a doubt, due to a calf problem.
Jamie Shackleton (concussion) and Jaidon Anthony (personal matters) are the only fresh absentees, via Adam Pope:
Here, we look at the lineup we think Farke should name for Stoke’s trip to LS11 on Tuesday night…
Leeds United predicted XI v Stoke
Changes are likely to be afoot for two reasons after the draw at Huddersfield, one of those being the quick turnaround between games, and the other being some players not being great at the John Smith’s either – but don’t expect wholesale changes to the lineup.
In goal, Illan Meslier will want to get back to keeping a clean sheet after conceding at least one goal in his last three games across all competitions.
The back four is where we see the first change, as Connor Roberts comes in for his first start in the league for Leeds, while Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Junior Firpo complete the back four – Firpo could miss out, but Farke’s comments on the left-back suggested he wasn’t overly worried about him.
Roberts starting frees Archie Gray to make a return to midfield, taking the place of Glen Kamara, who was uncharacteristically sluggish in the Huddersfield game, with Ilia Gruev keeping his place as the deeper-lying of the two in the pivot.
Dan James replaces Willy Gnonto in the lineup
There could be more of a case that Leeds need to address the lack of quality on the left flank after that game on the weekend, but you simply can’t leave Crysencio Summerville out if he’s fully fit for the game, he’s the best in the league.
Our insistence against the Terriers to work down the left in the second half made little sense when our best move and goal came from the huge gaps down the right wing, exploited by Roberts and Dan James, who made an impact when he came off the bench.
Georginio Rutter needs to be much better in taking care of possession, but like Summerville, is someone that can win a game in an instant on his own, so has to start if fully fit.
Patrick Bamford may need a rest to ensure he doesn’t suffer setbacks, but he’s another that ought to start should Farke see fit – at least we know that Mateo Joseph is well worth considering now if push comes to shove.
The big updated Crysencio Summerville quiz – Can Leeds United fans score 20/20?
