Predicted Leeds starting XI v Chelsea
Leeds United face a very tough test on Saturday but not everyone has written them off.
BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson believes that Leeds will beat Chelsea 2-1 at Elland Road and that would be some way to get back to winning ways after a run of four defeats in five games.
While Marcelo Bielsa confirmed that Pablo Hernandez and Pascal Struijk are out, Leeds fans got some good news in the pre-match press conference as well, with news that both Rodrigo and Kalvin Phillips had got through their first games back with no issues.
Both of them should start against Chelsea with Marcelo Bielsa needing to put out his strongest XI.
That also means taking Mateusz Klich out of the side. He looks out on his feet and needs resting for his sake and for Leeds.
The other big news from the press conference is that 21-year-old Jamie Shackleton is back from injury.
He should go straight back in for just his fourth Premier League start in place of Klich and that means Stuart Dallas can play at left-back.
Jack Harrison should return on the left, with Raphinha and Patrick Bamford making up the attack.
At the back, Illan Meslier will be in goal and we’re not expecting Kiko Casilla to be on the bench after this week’s shenanigans. In fact, we’re not expecting to see Casilla in the first-team squad again and that will please a lot of fans.
Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper and Luke Ayling will make up the defence in a strong XI that’s almost back to Leeds’ best.
This is the starting XI we expect Bielsa to put out on Saturday…
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay claims big-money Leeds star has not been happy this season, could be ‘done’ at club