Pascal Struijk axed and Adam Forshaw makes first 2023 start – Leeds United predicted XI vs Fulham
Javi Gracia is predicted to change his Leeds United system and hand Adam Forshaw a first start this year as he looks to stop the rot at Fulham.
Coming off the back of two straight home thrashings, with 11 goals conceded, the Spaniard has to make changes for the trip to Craven Cottage on Saturday (22 April) in a bid to get the Whites back on track in the relegation battle.
The defence was awful and the midfield virtually non-existent during the 6-1 defeat to Liverpool at Elland Road on Monday (17 April), but unfortunately for Leeds their alternative options in those areas aren’t as great as further forward.
In an attempt to make the centre of midfield something of a barrier to the embattled back line Gracia is predicted to switch from his usual 4-2-3-1 formation to a 4-3-3, and bring Forshaw in for his first start since the 0-0 draw on New Year’s Eve at Newcastle, with Brenden Aaronson benched.
Pascal Struijk and Rasmus Kristensen pay the price for bad games against Liverpool, and Max Wober should return with so many hopes pinned to him, along with Luke Ayling who has fewer.
The final change sees Willy Gnonto finally restored to the starting line up in place of Luis Sinisterra, who is the most unfortunate to drop out.
Illan Meslier was likened to “a kid in goal” by Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports on Monday, but realistically there is no better option in the Leeds United squad.
Robin Koch was the best of a bad bunch in defence against Liverpool, but he and Junior Firpo, who was very poor, look much improved when Wober is available and Gracia will be desperately hoping that is again the case now that the Austrian appears to be back from injury, after being on the bench last time out.
Ayling has been in pretty calamitous form himself defensively but Kristensen was just as bad in the 6-1 and doesn’t provide the same leadership as the Elland Road veteran which just about gives him the edge.
In midfield Weston McKennie frankly should be dropped after his performance, while Marc Roca wasn’t a huge deal better, but with Tyler Adams injured and Gracia not giving the likes of Darko Gyabi a sniff the pair cling on, with Forshaw’s introduction off the bench against Liverpool signifying he is the preference.
Jack Harrison joins Gnonto, with the Englishman’s three goals and two assists under the new manager edging out the unlucky Sinisterra’s two goals to find a place for the Italian’s return.
Rodrigo keeps his place up front with Patrick Bamford apparently injured again and Georginio Rutter nowhere near ready.
In other Leeds United news, a key Whites ace is being tracked by a mega-rich club ahead of a possible summer deal.