Leeds United predicted XI vs Augsburg: Noah Okafor starts, but Jayden Bogle misses out

Leeds United put a bow on their pre-season campaign against Augsburg on Saturday.

Daniel Farke's side have enjoyed a strong summer campaign, with the highlights being strong wins over Liverpool and RB Leipzig.

The Whites also played out a 1-1 draw with rivals Manchester United last time out, only for the Red Devils to win on penalties.

It's German opposition this Saturday though, as Manuel Baum brings his Augsburg side to Elland Road.

The Bavarians finished ninth in the Bundesliga last season, and should provide Leeds with a good final pre-season test.

So, ahead of Saturday's 2pm kick-off in West Yorkshire, MOT Leeds News attempts to predict how Farke will set his Whites team up this weekend.

Daniel Farke to make one defensive change in Leeds vs Augsburg

Farke deployed a 3-4-2-1 system against Man United, and that's how we expect him to approach Augsburg, and indeed the start of the Premier League season.

James Trafford enjoyed an impressive first-half debut against Michael Carrick's side, and we see no reason why he doesn't start on Saturday.

Tarik Muharemovic again looked a quality player at Croke Park, and gets the nod again as the left-sided centre-back.

In the middle, we expect Jaka Bijol to keep his place, with the lone defensive change coming to the right of him.

Sebastiaan Bornauw is widely reported to be on the verge of leaving Leeds for Hamburg, and so Whites chiefs surely won't wish to risk that deal falling through because of injury.

Therefore, we're backing Joe Rodon to replace him as the right centre-back, offering him more chances to flash his overlapping ability witnessed against Leipzig.

So, with just the one change at the back, will Farke be more inclined to rotate in his midfield against Augsburg?

Farke to overhaul Leeds midfield for Augsburg visit

With this being the last pre-season game before the real thing starts, Farke will likely wish to take this opportunity to field his strongest side possible.

At right wing-back, Jayden Bogle didn't enjoy a great first half in Dublin, with James Justin impressing more in the second 45, and that may earn him a start this weekend.

Over on the left, 19-year-old Rhys Chadwick filled in at left wing-back but didn't look overly comfortable.

With Gabriel Gudmundsson still sidelined, Wilfried Gnonto is a safer option to start here for the opening few weeks of the season and should replace the teenager on Saturday.

As for the two central midfielders, Sean Longstaff was again very impressive against Man United, and deserves to keep his place in the starting lineup.

However, Ao Tanaka failed to take his chance once again, and after not making an impression in pre-season, we're expecting Ethan Ampadu to replace him on Saturday.

That just leaves the attack to sort out, and we think Farke will make some alterations from Wednesday in this department as well.

Man United assist-getter dropped vs Augsburg

Farke went with two attacking midfielders and a centre-forward against Man United, and we think he'll do the same for Augsburg.

As the right of the two number 10s, Brenden Aaronson continued his very impressive pre-season with a goal in Dublin.

It was a lovely goal too, digging the ball from out under his feet before stabbing the ball past Senne Lammens to make it 1-1.

With two goals and one assist from his three pre-season appearances, he feels pretty close to undroppable right now and should be in the side this Saturday.

On the left, Dan James did provide the assist for Aaronson's goal, in what has been a solid summer campaign for the Welshman too.

But, we feel that with Noah Okafor now back, Farke will want to try and get him up to match fitness ASAP, and so harshly, we think James will make way for Swiss international.

Finally, Lukas Nmecha got the nod as the starting striker against Man United, but didn't put a single shot on goal as he struggled to get involved in the game.

In that respect, the same can be said for Dominic Calvert-Lewin's display in the second half, as the Old Trafford outfit did a good job of nullifying Leeds' strikers.

However, the 29-year-old is the clear starting centre-forward over Nmecha, and we think he'll return to the starting lineup at Elland Road this weekend.