Callum O'Connell

Wed 6 December 2023 9:10, UK

Daniel Farke will be looking for a stronger performance than his Leeds United side showed in the 3-2 victory against Middlesbrough as they travel to face Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on 9 December.

The boss will want a more routine win than the dramatics last time out, and while their attacking form continues to stun teams, Leeds will need to improve defensively to keep their winning form up.

The players have had a full week without a game since that clash, a rarity in the Championship at this time of year, which should have allowed several players to gather their fitness ahead of the clash.

As usual, Illan Meslier should take his place in goal, despite a shaky performance last time out, as he retains his spot at Farke’s number one.

Pascal Struijk could also keep his place alongside Joe Rodon as the first-choice pairing, although after shipping three goals last week, the boss may turn to Liam Cooper to lend his experience after Struijk in particular failed to impress. The Dutchman should just edge it, though.

Sam Byram will continue at left-back with Junior Firpo ruled out until Christmas, while Djed Spence may be handed a first Leeds start on the right-hand side, replacing Archie Gray in a move that would offer the team more width and a more direct, forward-thinking full-back.

Glen Kamara and Ethan Ampadu completed four key passes, ten successful duels, five tackles, two blocks and two interceptions between them in the win against Middlesbrough, solidifying their presence in the holding midfield spots to allow the attackers more freedom, and should start again at Ewood Park. [Sofascore]

Despite frustrating performances against Boro last week, the boss only saw fit to make his changes late in the game, with Patrick Bamford and Wilfried Gnonto brought on after 82 minutes, in a show of faith and trust in his front line.

Gnonto will be in with a shout of starting his first game since October should Farke decide to rotate his front line, but with a week’s rest in hand, both wingers Crysencio Summerville and Daniel James will likely be chosen again after goalscoring displays last time out.

Gnotno, along with Bamford and the likes of Jaidon Anthony, may have to wait until the fixture congestion ramps up if they want to get a look-in with the flying form of Leeds’ frontmen.

Joel Piroe should continue in the deeper role after scoring in three of his last four games, behind Georginio Rutter who leads the line one more.

The Frenchman was disappointing last week, but has six goal contributions in his last eight games and cannot be overlooked, with his quality able to make the difference in a tight game as he pulls a rabbit out of a hat to make something happen.

So, given the week’s rest, it is unlikely to be a drastically different team to the one that beat Middlesbrough, with Farke sticking to his guns.

In other Leeds United news, Farke is changing the “dirty Leeds” narrative.