By Dave Woods

30th Jul, 2019 | 7:20pm

White & Costa to start v Bristol City

It feels like no time since Leeds were dumped out of the play-off semi-final by Derby County – a cruel end to such a brilliant season. 

But that was then and this is now, and the good news is that Marcelo Bielsa is still in the dugout and he has strengthened his side ahead of the new campaign – that gets underway on Sunday against Bristol City. 

Leeds are still light at the back and while some fans are still hoping a new centre-back will be signed it would be counter to Bielsa’s ways to bring someone in so late. And Bielsa is very set in his ways.

It is expected that two of Leeds’ new signings will start on Sunday.

Gaetano Berardi’s season will start late after his red card against Derby and that means Ben White should play with Liam Cooper in the centre of defence. If he’s the man that Bielsa is going to rely on this season – and Berardi has proved time and time again that he’s not someone you can depend on – then he’ll need to prove straight away that he can live with players in the Championship. We’ve got high hopes but it’s a gamble that could really backfire. Bielsa must be very sure of him.

Helder Costa is the other new signing set for his competitive debut and he’s the player that fans should be most excited about this season. At his best he’s too good for the Championship but his last two seasons haven’t been a patch on his first at Molineux. If Bielsa gets him firing Leeds will have a great shot at a top-two spot.

Injured
Luke Ayling, Kemar Roofe, Tyler Roberts

Suspended
Gaetano Berardi

Predicted starting XI v Bristol City