Willy Gnonto starts in four changes – Leeds United starting XI v Luton
Daniel Farke has made four changes to his starting line-up as Leeds United prepare to face Luton.
The Whites need to return to winning ways after a poor run in which they have won just one of their last five Championship matches, relinquishing their grip on the title.
The Elland Road outfit are level on points with third-placed Burnley and another disappointing result could take their promotion hopes out of their own hands.
The German already made his decision to drop Illan Meslier public after his errors in the 2-2 draw with Swansea (29 March), but he has made another bold selection.
Gnonto starts for Leeds United v Luton
Farke has made several changes to his team from the Swansea draw, and Wilfried Gnonto has been handed a start over Brenden Aaronson.
Ao Tanaka and Junior Firpo also return to the starting line-up for the Kennilworth Road contest, with Karl Darlow in between the sticks.
Patrick Bamford and Max Wober were spotted with the squad beforehand, and both players are fit enough to make the bench.
Leeds have confirmed that Joe Rothwell has a calf issue, with Mateo Joseph ill.
📋 Your #LUFC Starting XI… pic.twitter.com/8EzjiiP5H1
— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 5, 2025
Leeds need to win against relegation-threatened opposition
Luton are second bottom in the division and are fighting to avoid relegation to League One; anything other than a win for Leeds is unacceptable.
Failure to secure promotion would be a disaster considering how dominant that Farke’s side have been this season and the lead that they had built up before the poor run of form.
Their away record is particularly concerning, they have dropped points in 11 of their 19 matches on the road, picking up a total of 32 points away from Elland Road.
| Stats (Championship) | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points |
| Away | 8 | 8 | 3 | 32 |
Including the match against the Hatters, they have four of their last seven on the road and need to drastically improve that record if they are to seal automatic promotion.
The Whites need their star men to step up while the pressure is on, not just at home, where they have only dropped points in five games, picking up a total of 49 points.
There are still plenty of twists and turns in the promotion race, but if Farke does not improve his side’s form, then they will be out of the picture by the time Sheffield United and Burnley play each other.
If Leeds are forced to settle for a place in the playoffs, it would be worrying, as their record in the end-of-season showdown is dismal.