Daniel Farke makes Joe Rothwell blunder as Leeds confirmed XI v Portsmouth
Daniel Farke has made one change to his Leeds United starting line-up to face Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Sunday.
Leeds will go into the game on 9 March looking to return to winning ways after being held to a 1-1 draw by West Brom at Elland Road last Saturday (1 March).
With Sheffield United going level on points with the Whites after a 1-0 victory over Preston on Saturday (8 March), it is imperative that Daniel Farke’s side claim all three points against John Mousinho’s side to restore their three-point lead at the top of the table.
Pompey are placed 17th in the Championship, but are unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 league games at home, meaning Farke and Co have to be firing on all cylinders to grab all three points.
Farke axes Joe Rothwell for Ilia Gruev
Joe Rothwell has been dropped to the bench in Farke’s only change for the game, with Ilia Gruev taking his place alongside Ao Tanaka.
This could prove to be a massive blunder from the German tactician’s part and fans will not be happy if Leeds fail to claim all three points against Portsmouth as a result.
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goal Difference | Points | Form | |
| 1. Leeds | 35 | 22 | 10 | 3 | 50 | 76 | WWWWD |
| 17. Portsmouth | 35 | 10 | 9 | 16 | -14 | 39 | LWWWL |
Rothwell has formed a formidable partnership with Tanaka, having made 32 Championship appearances this season.
The midfield partnership of the Bournemouth loanee and the Japan international served Farke well when Gruev and Ethan Ampadu were sidelined in the first half of the season.
While Rothwell could not help the Whites to a win against West Brom in what was his first Championship start in four games, dropping him to the bench after just one game is unnecessary.
📋 Your #LUFC Starting XI… pic.twitter.com/7vo7K8Xv9Q
— Leeds United (@LUFC) March 9, 2025
Leeds lineup v Portsmouth
Looking at the whole line-up, Illan Meslier remains between the stick as usual, with Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and last Saturday’s goalscorer Junior Firpo forming the back four.
Tanaka and Gruev play alongside each other in a double pivot in midfield, while Rothwell drops to the bench and Ampadu misses out again.
Meanwhile, there are no surprises in attack with Dan James and Manor Solomon playing on either side of Brenden Aaronson, with Joel Piroe leading the line.