Daniel Farke's starting XI vs Nottingham Forest could now include two of last season's flops
The countdown to the start of Leeds United's Premier League season is underway.
The official Premier League fixtures place the Whites on the road as they travel to the City Ground against Nottingham Forest to kick off the season.
Daniel Farke's line-up for the inaugural match will likely look quite different to last season's squad as transfer business gets completed.
And at Elland Road, there are already quite a few players who will not feature for the LS11 side in 2026-2027.
Farke will have plenty of decisions to make, and that could be furthered by more potential arrivals and departures.
However, as things stand, here is what the Leeds starting line-up would look like for the opening game.
Daniel Farke left with easy goalkeeper choice as 2025-2026 flop gets new hope
When it comes to Farke's decision over Leeds' number one, the German only really has one option as things look.
While Karl Darlow emerged as Farke's man between the sticks last season, and could still be at Elland Road next season, right now
The Welshman's contract expired on 1 July with Leeds having an offer for Darlow on the table.
However, Everton and Manchester United reportedly have done the same. Additionally, with Illan Meslier also no longer at Elland Road, it leaves Lucas Perri as the sole chose.
The Brazilian failed to make his case last season but as things stand he is line for a chance to redeem his flop campaign from 2025-2026.
33-year-old Alex Cairns is also still a Leeds player, but it is unlikely he features.
At the back, Pascal Struijk's exit could open a route back into the starting line-up for Sebastiaan Bornauw.
The Belgian struggled to impress last season, and was ultimately a poor transfer for the Whites. Similarly to Perri, he can be classed as a flop.
Last season, Farke did utilise a back-three formation but following the Dutchman's transfer to Brighton, the Whites only have three senior centre backs.
The rest of the team looks as is compared to last season. Jayden Bogle will likely take up his role as the right wing-back, with Gabriel Gudmundsson at left wing-back.
A midfield three of Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka and Anton Stach will play behind a front two of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor.
However, there could yet be plenty of changes to this team before that match on 22 August.
How could Leeds' starting XI change ahead of Nottingham Forest
Of course, that is only the starting XI based on the current Elland Road crop, but there are reasons to believe it could change drastically.
The Whites are finalising an agreement for Harry Wilson with fans eagerly awaiting an official announcement.
His arrival could see Farke switch to a front three with Ao Tanaka coming out of the midfield.
Additionally, talks are still underway for Shea Charles, with Southampton rejecting Leeds' latest offer.
His transfer would pose a question on if Stach would start the opening game, with Charles potentially partnering Ampadu.
Meanwhile, Leeds have been linked with numerous centre-backs, and the likelihood is that Bornauw will not make the line-up come the game against Forest.