Rasmus Kristensen axed, Willy Gnonto on bench – Leeds United starting XI v Nottingham Forest
Leeds United have confirmed their starting XI for Tuesday evening’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest.
Javi Gracia has made two changes to the team which was beaten 4-1 by Arsenal at The Emirates on Saturday (1 April).
Weston McKennie comes back into the side replacing summer signing Rasmus Kristensen in the centre of midfield. Patrick Bamford has also been given a start, coming in for Crysencio Summerville. Willy Gnonto also returns to the matchday squad after missing the defeat to Mikel Arteta’s side through injury.
Huge
The importance of Tuesday’s fixture against Forest cannot be understated. There’s a chance for Leeds to bounce back from their humiliation at the hands of Arsenal and leapfrog Steve Cooper’s side in the table. A fast start is an absolute must for the Whites.
Elland Road will be bouncing and Gracia’s men must use this to their advantage. Even when the players aren’t performing to their best, the partisan home crowd can often play its part. With Crystal Palace on Sunday (9 April), Leeds are in with a good chance of putting some distance between themselves and the bottom three.
Forest are also facing a must not lose scenario tonight. Cooper is once again under the spotlight and there’s been talk of the City Ground side making a change in the dugout to arrest their worrying slide down the Premier League table.
Defeat tonight would feel like a crushing blow to Gracia and it would be hard to see how the squad would be able to bounce back at the weekend. Let’s hope Tuesday’s fixture is the start of a really positive week for the Whites.
In other news, Leeds United could be at risk with an important update now overdue.