Junior Firpo axed by Daniel Farke in two changes – Leeds United predicted XI v Norwich City
Daniel Farke is set to make two changes to his Leeds United starting lineup for their Championship playoff semi-final second leg clash with Norwich at Elland Road.
The two sides fought to a competitive 0-0 draw in the first leg at Carrow Road, with the big talking point being a controversial decision not to award the Whites a penalty for a foul on Wilfried Gnonto in the first half.
The result means the game is now a shootout for a place at Wembley, and Farke must find a way to make his side more threatening in front of an expectant and electric home crowd.
Junior Firpo should be dropped from the Leeds United side
Illan Meslier will start in goal barring any injuries as he claimed a 20th clean sheet of the season and remains the number one between the sticks.
Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon have been the first-choice centre-back choice since Pascal Struijk’s injury ruled him out for the season, but the full-backs either side should change.
Junior Firpo has struggled in recent weeks, and is not expected to be offered a new deal with a sale mooted for the summer. His performances have stunk of someone who has one foot out of the door and with Connor Roberts fit again, the manager should move Sam Byram back to the left with Roberts slotting in on the right.
A midfield three of Archie Gray, Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara did well in the week but they offered little threat going forward and Farke must change that.
That should see the Finland international drop out as he did in the latter weeks of the season, with Gray and Gruev providing a perfect combination of energy, quality in possession and work-rate off the ball.
In attack the manager doesn’t have too many options, and is likely to stick with what he knows best. Jaidon Anthony and Daniel James came off the bench but neither showed enough to take the place of Crysencio Summerville or Gnonto out wide.
Georginio Rutter struggled playing up front on his own and should return to the number ten role he played so well in all season, with Dutch striker Joel Piroe coming back into the team in a more offensive setup.
In other Leeds news, the club want to bring a “jewel” back to the club behind the scenes.
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