Dan Carter

Mon 25 December 2023 11:10, UK

Daniel Farke is predicted to make two changes to his Leeds United starting XI to face Preston North End at Deepdale on Boxing Day.

The Whites head into the clash with Ryan Lowe’s side off the back of an excellent 4-0 win over Ipswich Town but a couple of changes may be required because of the quick turnaround between fixtures.

Between Christmas Day and the 1 January, Leeds have three games, a run of fixtures that could potentially be season-defining and Farke has admitted that he may be forced to rotate his squad and Farke may start that by axing Glen Kamara and Dan James.

The Welshman was fairly anonymous from the right flank against Ipswich Town before being substituted after 61 minutes. James only completed 67 per cent of his 15 attempted passes and lost four of his five ground duels [Fotmob].

With Wilfried Gnonto waiting in the wings and looking lively from the bench against the Tractor Boys, Farke may well hand the Italian international his first start since October.

While Kamara performed well at the heart of the Leeds United midfield, the quick turnaround between games could see him drop to the bench, especially considering his lack of pre-season with Rangers before making the £5million switch to Elland Road [Leeds Live].

Should Farke rest the Finnish international, it would provide the perfect opportunity for Ilia Gruev to start only his second game for the Whites after a decent cameo against Ipswich saw him complete 100 per cent of his 16 passes.

The Leeds backline kept Ipswich’s impressive attacking resources quiet at Elland Road so Farke is unlikely to change his defence. Ilan Meslier will almost certainly continue between the posts, with Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk preferred ahead of him.

Archie Gray has managed to make the right-back position his own this season and while Junior Firpo is fit and ready to return, Djed Spence will probably continue at left-back after having one of his best games in a white shirt against Kieran McKenna’s side.

Farke has admitted that he will have to be careful with Ethan Ampadu over the festive period, given the number of games he has played this season, but the Welshman has made himself undroppable with his incredible performances this season.

While Gnonto will likely replace James, the rest of Leeds’ attacking quartet will remain untouched following the trouncing of Ipswich. Crysencio Summerville has been one of the Championship’s best players and will continue from the left wing.

Farke has been reluctant to start with anyone other than Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe in attack and considering the Dutchman scored his ninth of the season against Ipswich, that is unlikely to change on Boxing Day.

The Whites will be hoping that they can get off to another quick start against Ryan Lowe’s Preston and then substitute some key stars to give them a rest ahead of another quick turnaround.

In other Leeds United news, one BBC Pundit was blown away by Rodon’s display labelling the Whites star “Premier League” quality