BBC pundit predicts Leeds United starting XI v Southampton after Jesse Marsch update on Thursday
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Paul Robinson expects Jesse Marsch to name an unchanged Leeds United side to play Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon.
Leeds had numerous injury issues on the opening day of the Premier League season last week but still managed to secure a 2-1 win over Wolves at Elland Road.
Speaking to the media on Thursday (11 August), Marsch confirmed that he has Liam Cooper, Luis Sinisterra and Adam Forshaw available after they sat out of the win over Bruno Lage’s side due to injury.
Despite that triple boost, Robinson is keen to see everyone get the chance to impress on the south coast after such an impressive display against Wolves and even though players like Mateusz Klich did well as a substitute, he should stay on the bench.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “In all honesty, I think the manager should go with the same starting line-up.
“They did well in a good Premier League side in Wolves so I think he goes with the same 11 at Southampton.
“The ones who came off the bench – Klich, Summerville, Greenwood, Gelhardt – none of them get a start for me.
“Liam Cooper is the only one who’s fit who breaks into the starting 11 that started on Saturday.
“Aaronson and Rodrigo have done well so Dan James doesn’t come in instead of Harrison or Bamford.
“If he’s available for selection after his suspension, I don’t play him. He’s on the bench.”
If Robinson’s predicted line-up is correct it means that Illan Meslier would start in goals behind a back-four of Rasmus Kristensen, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk.
Marc Roca and Tyler Adams would start in the central midfield area with Brenden Aaronson, Rodrigo and Jack Harrison in the attacking and wide roles.
Patrick Bamford would get the nod to start up front again after a decent return to action following his injury hell of last season.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are in the hunt to sign this £40million-rated forward who could opt to quit a Champions League club in the coming days.