Daniel Farke to axe Wilfried Gnonto and Joe Piroe, Connor Roberts debut decision made – Leeds United predicted XI v Bristol City
Daniel Farke could be set to make five changes to his Leeds United starting XI to face Bristol City at Aston Gate on Friday 2 February.
Farke made six changes to his side for last weekend’s FA Cup fourth-round hosting of Plymouth Argyle which ended in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road (27 January), leading to a replay at Home Park next Tuesday night.
But the focus now shifts back to to club’s promotion bid and a chance to move into the division’s automatic promotion places with victory against on Friday evening.
Leeds had six players out injured for last weekend’s cup clash against Plymouth and shared in his press conference on Thursday (1 February) that both Dan James (groin) and Pascal Struijk (adductor) remain sidelined.
And the German could make five changes from the team which drew against Plymouth to take on Bristol City.
Undisputed number one goalkeeper Illan Meslier will be expected to keep his place in goal after Farke made the decision to start him in a cup clash.
The defence will be much changed, however, with Jamie Shackleton, Sam Byram and Liam Cooper dropping out to be replaced by Archie Gray, who missed last weekend’s FA Cup clash but is expected to return and Junior Firpo.
Leeds United added to their full-back ranks on transfer deadline day, finally announcing the last-gasp transfer of Burnley defender Connor Roberts at Elland Road, joining on a temporary loan deal until the end of the season.
However, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post (2 February), Roberts is ineligible for the game at Ashton Gate after not being registered and won’t be able to feature against Plymouth in the FA Cup replay as competition rules stipulate a player must have been registered to the club when the initial tie was played in order to participate in any replay.
Roberts faces a wait for his Elland Road debut and that could arrive against Rotherham at Elland Road next weekend (10 February).
Ethan Ampadu started in his usual midfield role against Plymouth but will be expected to start again at centre-back alongside Joe Rodon.
In midfield, Glen Kamara should return to the starting eleven partnering with Ilia Gruev who has been excellent since his emergence in the team in recent weeks.
In attack, Crycensio Summerville sat out the Plymouth game with a groin problem but Farke shared he will be available for selection which means he takes his usual left-sided role.
Jaidon Anthony bagged the crucial equaliser last week and impressed in a brief cameo role which will force Farke to axe Wilfried Gnonto who was below-par yet again last weekend.
Up front, the in-form and rejuvenated Patrick Bamford who now has four goals in his last five games should replace the struggling Joel Piroe with the 24-year-old scoring just twice in his last ten games.
In other Leeds United news, Alan Brazil has shared his reaction after what he heard live on air about Roberts’ move to Elland Road.
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