Illan Meslier to be axed after Sam Allardyce update, three changes – Leeds United predicted XI v Manchester City
Sam Allardyce’s first press conference as the Leeds United manager on Wednesday gave us a good hint about what his first starting line-up could be this weekend.
Leeds face what seems to be an impossible task when they take on Premier League leaders Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday (6 May).
Big Sam has lost all four games where he’s played against Pep Guardiola and the odds are firmly stacked against him from breaking that 100 per cent losing record with Leeds.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday (3 May), Allardyce alluded to the fact that Illan Meslier could be dropped from the starting line-up after a miserable run of performances in the Leeds goal.
As relayed by The Athletic’s Phil Hay, Allardyce said he’ll make a decision on Friday as to whether Meslier, 23, will start in goals at Man City, adding: “Whether it’s right for to keep him in and hope he gets back to what he can be, we’ll wait and see.”
As well as Meslier potentially being dropped and Joel Robles coming in to replace him, Allardyce could also drop Rasmus Kristensen and Crysenscio Summerville to name more of a defensive line-up.
Pascal Struijk and Max Wober are both predicted to start in what could be a back-five.
Ahead of Robles, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper and Struijk could start in the three central defensive roles with Luke Ayling and Wober in the full-back or wing-back areas.
Due to a lack of better options, Weston McKennie and Marc Roca could start in the two midfield roles.
Ahead of them, Allardyce could use a front-three of Willy Gnonto, Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford, potentially using the pace of the two wingers and Bamford’s height to spring a couple of counter-attacks on Guardiola’s title-hunting side.
Leeds won at the Etihad in April 2021 when Marcelo Bielsa was in charge with Stuart Dallas scoring both goals.
However, since then, the Whites have lost three in three against the Citizens, conceding 14 goals in those games and scoring just once.
In other Leeds United news, this popular ex-Leeds manager was keen on an interim role back at Elland Road before Allardyce was chosen by the board.