Paul Robinson predicts Leeds United starting XI v Everton
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson predicts Marcelo Bielsa to make three changes to the Leeds United starting line-up ahead of their clash with Everton at Elland Road on Saturday.
The ex-Leeds goalkeeper expects Kalvin Phillips to return to the starting line-up to replace Robin Koch in the holding midfield position.
He also sees Junior Firpo earning his full competitive debut for the Whites at left-back with Stuart Dallas moving into the midfield and potentially Rodrigo being dropped.
Finally, Robinson claims that if Diego Llorente is fit, he should replace Pascal Struijk in the defence.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “Kalvin Phillips should come in, without a doubt.
“That’s a no-brainer and if Llorente’s fit, he should also come in and Struijk should miss out with Llorente alongside Cooper.
“That’s probably the way Bielsa will go if Llorente’s fit. Koch and Struijk would be the two to miss out, if that was the case.
“Llorente was so good at the end of last season, it was no surprise that the improved defensive performances coincided with him playing every week.
“It’ll be interesting to see whether Rodrigo starts after he was pulled off at half-time last week. I think he’ll miss out with Stuart Dallas going into the midfield and Junior Firpo comes in and plays too.
“I know that he didn’t start [the 5-1 defeat to Manchester United] because of the knock he picked up at Ajax so he wasn’t 100 per cent fit and wasn’t confident about starting. But I think after 45 minutes under his belt at Old Trafford, he’ll be fit.”
If Robinson is correct, this is how Leeds’ line-up will look against Rafa Benitez’s Everton this weekend:
Leeds were smashed 5-1 away at Man United last week with Dallas playing at left-back, Koch in the holding midfield role, Struijk at centre-back and Rodrigo in the midfield.
If Robinson is right, all of those players will either be dropped or have their roles changes for the clash against Everton.
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