Leeds United predicted XI v Watford – Brenden Aaronson to be dropped
Daniel Farke is predicted to rest Brenden Aaronson among two changes when Leeds United host Watford at Elland Road on 22 October.
The Whites returned to winning ways after back-to-back Championship draws with a dominant 2-0 victory over Sheffield United on 18 October, with Pascal Struijk and Mateo Joseph in the goals.
Joseph, alongside a fit-again Daniel James, could both come into the side against Watford as Farke looks to avoid a build-up of fatigue in a game which comes just days after the victory.
Aaronson, who only returned from international duty with the US in the early hours of 17 October, is the player most likely to drop out, with Joel Piroe set to be displaced by Joseph up front.
Daniel Farke to rest Brenden Aaronson for Leeds United v Watford
Farke kept faith with Illan Meslier to face the Blades on 18 October despite his woeful mistake against Sunderland two weeks prior, and the Frenchman rewarded that faith with a clean sheet.
The back four will also stay the same having proved impenetrable once more, with Pascal Struijk scoring United’s first goal from a corner since his own against Ipswich on 23 December 2023.
Though he’s unlikely to make changes in defence, Farke will be hoping that none of Jayden Bogle, Junior Firpo or Joe Rodon pick up a yellow card, as all three are just one booking away from a suspension.
Midfield is also set to stay the same after Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell shone in their deeper roles against Sheffield United, despite the Whites being linked with signing reinforcements in the form of a free agent [Leeds Live, 19 October].
The front four is where the changes are set to come against Watford on 22 October though, with Aaronson the most likely candidate to come out of the side for James to make his first start since August.
Wilfried Gnonto will therefore move off the right flank into a more central role behind the striker, with Largie Ramazani playing on the left after a sensational display against the Blades.
The striker in question playing ahead of Gnonto simply has to be Joseph after his clinical finish off the bench to seal the points on 18 October, and that’s despite Piroe being exceptional for most of the match.
In other Leeds news, one United youngster has put EFL clubs on notice after what he did on his debut in the National League.
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