Dan James to be axed by Daniel Farke, two changes – Leeds United predicted XI v Swansea City
Leeds United could be set for two changes to their line-up ahead of their game against Swansea on Wednesday night, with Daniel Farke dealing with new injury setbacks and the loss of form.
The reintroduction of Leeds’s tricky winger Wilfried Gnonto is a very strong possibility as Dan James struggles to regain his form from before his poor couple of games while on international duty.
Rotations in defence and attack could be on the cards. The severity of Liam Cooper’s hamstring injury at the weekend is relatively unknown, which would mean Pascal Struijk’s first start since a hernia repair during the international break.
Speaking to LeedsLive after the 1-1 draw with Rotherham United, Farke feared a lengthy layoff for veteran Cooper, who limped off the pitch with 10 minutes remaining: “Liam Cooper, there was a cramp he also felt a bit in his hamstring, we have to assess him but it could be there’s a slight injury.
“I hope to have him available on Wednesday but we need to wait for further assessment.”
The predicted changes for Leeds’ game against Swansea are relatively like-for-like. Ahead of Illan Meslier would be the centre-back partnership of Struijk and Joe Rodon, who have created one of the most trusted defensive duos in the division.
The centre-backs will likely continue to be protected by Sam Byram and Archie Gray on either side. The return of Junior Firpo could have threatened the former’s place in the side, if not for his average performance against the Millers last time out.
Difficult to see any other midfield partnership, Glen Kamara and Ethan Ampadu could start their ninth game together in the midfield, with Gray now being deployed as a full-back.
The undroppable Crysencio Summerville could make his 13th league start this season, while Gnonto looks like the obvious replacement for James who has struggled to make the desired impact against Rotherham. It could, however, also be Jaidon Anthony, who was denied a late winner by offside at the weekend.
Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter will be expected to make the starting XI. Patrick Bamford is the only threat real threat to either of the players unless Farke opts for a formation change, but the 30-year-old showed exactly why he has only played a smaller role from the bench when replacing Rutter with 20 minutes left to play.
Bamford, who is yet to score a goal this season and missed a penalty in recent weeks, touched the ball just six times, skewed a shot from 25 yards, and was the reason for Anthony’s winner being ruled out.
Leeds v Swansea is always a hard-fought victory when these two sides meet. From the previous six matches, the Whites have claimed wins on three occasions, while Swansea have done so twice.
The last two fixtures have been won by the away side, with Leeds not beating Swansea at Elland Road since February 2019.
In other Leeds United news, a Sky Sports pundit believes a Whites player will be “frustrated” by his treatment since joining.