Daniel Farke to axe favourite – Leeds United predicted XI v Middlesbrough
Daniel Farke could drop Brenden Aaronson as one of two changes when Leeds United welcome Middlesbrough to Elland Road on Tuesday.
Aaronson has been in the starting XI for 17 of the Whites’ 19 league games so far this season, but along with the injured Junior Firpo, should be benched after failing to shine against Derby County last time out.
Wilfried Gnonto is a threat wherever he plays and has shown an ability to thrive as a number 10 in place of Aaronson, while Maximilian Wober’s first United goal against Derby will surely see him start this game.
Middlesbrough have won four of their last six and sit fifth in the table, but with Farke’s side winning seven home games in a row, confidence will be high that they can re-claim top spot in the Championship.
Daniel Farke to axe Brenden Aaronson in two Leeds United changes
Farke rarely makes changes from game-to-game unless forced to – as he is in Firpo’s case this time around – but given the quality United had on the bench against Derby, Gnonto is impossible to ignore.
Aside from Wober starting his first league game of the season – with a view to it going better than his EFL Cup outing against Boro in August – the Whites’ back four is expected to remain the same.
Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon continue to be impervious as a centre-back combination, with Rodon joining Wober on the list of Leeds players to score their first goals for the club against Derby on Saturday (7 December).
Jayden Bogle and Dan James’ combination down the right shouldn’t be broken up for the foreseeable future, and if Bogle is given the green light to start after a late fitness test, expect him to keep his place.
Joe Rothwell took the limelight from Ao Tanaka with a sensational midfield showing on Saturday, and the duo will provide the perfect foil for Gnonto to slot into the number 10 role ahead of them.
While Aaronson should drop out despite being registered with the assist for Wober’s close range finish in front of the Kop, Manor Solomon keeps his place for now despite Largie Ramazani returning to fitness.
Ahead of Solomon, Gnonto and James in Farke’s attacking midfield trifecta, Joel Piroe will likely keep his place ahead of Mateo Joseph up front, even though he hasn’t scored in United’s last two outings.
In other Leeds news, a club legend wants to return to Elland Road and watch the Peacocks in the Premier League once more.
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