Daniel James and Glen Kamara axed – Predicted Leeds United XI v Blackburn Rovers
Daniel Farke could be set to make several changes to his Leeds United starting lineup for the Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (13 April).
The Whites were held to a controversial 0-0 draw with Sunderland at Elland Road in midweek and fell to third place in the table with four games remaining of the season, while Blackburn were thumped 5-1 by Bristol City in their last outing to leave them on the brink of the relegation zone.
But Farke and the Whites can’t be complacent as they look to get back to winning ways again at Elland Road in the lunchtime kick-off, and the manager will surely look to freshen his team up after some poor results recently.
Leeds United must be more solid defensively
The defence this season has been the best in the league with just 33 goals conceded, but recent performances have been poor and changes must be considered.
Illan Meslier, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu make up the spine of the defence and should keep their places while Junior Firpo remains the only natural option at left-back. But Sam Byram has performed well this season and could come into the team at right-back.
That will open up the opportunity for teenage sensation Archie Gray to move into his more natural midfield role with a bit more attacking freedom alongside Ilia Gruev, who returned from injury against Coventry.
Glen Kamara has been a regular since his £5m arrival from Rangers last summer, but he has looked a little big leggy in recent games and refreshing the midfield could spark the team back into life.
In attack Crysencio Summerville has rediscovered his goalscoring touch in recent games and will undoubtedly continue on the left wing, but those around him could change.
Georginio Rutter really struggled against Sunderland but should start in the number 10 role with his creativity key to helping the team unlock stubborn defences. On the right wing Dan James has struggled for form recently, with the goal against Hull glossing over the cracks.
The £25m signing has been back in the side after Wilfried Gnonto’s recent injury, but the Italy international has been on the bench in recent games and should now be fit enough to start.
Up front Patrick Bamford has gone five games without a goal and should be axed now, and it seems like the perfect opportunity to give Mateo Joseph a rare start up front ahead of Joel Piroe.
In other Leeds news, footage has emerged of the moment Stuart Dallas told the squad he was retiring.
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