Luke Ayling axed and two full debuts given- Leeds United predicted XI v Millwall
Daniel Farke could be set to make three changes to his Leeds United side after the international break as the Whites make the trip to The Den to face Millwall in the Championship on Sunday (17 September).
After securing just a point at Elland Road in a 0-0 against Sheffield Wednesday, Farke will be keen to climb the table after the break and could seek to utilise two of his new boys by handing them full debuts.
Many players in the injury room are slowly returning to full fitness, meaning the German could soon have his full squad at his disposal, but a win against a Millwall side who are just one point above Leeds could prove crucial.
Having started all of Leeds’ Championship clashes so far, Illan Meslier is clearly here to stay – until January at least – so Farke will likely utilise him in the league for the foreseeable future. The Frenchman will be keen to build on a rare clean sheet against Millwall, who have scored just four goals this season.
Speaking on Junior Firpo and Sam Byram, Farke said, as quoted by Leeds Live (13 September): “I hope both will be back on the other end of the international break at least. It looks good with the rehab of both of them.” But we predict Byram to return to the fold at the expense of Jamie Shackleton, despite his admirable performance against Sheffield Wednesday.
The centre-backs may also keep their place. Clean sheets have been hard to come by. In fact, their Sheffield Wednesday clash was their first in all competitions this season, meaning Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk could have the chance to cement themselves as Farke’s preferred options.
Luke Ayling has been tipped by journalist Dean Jones to lose his spot at right-back permanently this season, saying via GIVEMESPORT (6 September): “You see people like Ayling getting quite a bit of stick, which seems harsh based on everything he’s done for Leeds. But with Spence coming in, you would imagine he’s doing that to get a regular starting berth.”
We predict the same outcome. With just 10 or so Leeds minutes under his belt so far, Tottenham loanee Djed Spence could emerge as Farke’s top choice at right-back and be handed his full debut at The Den, with the poor form-suffering Ayling perhaps looking at a season with more bench time than in previous years.
Further up the field, Fakre could have another full debut in his back pocket. Glen Kamara’s long-awaited exit from Rangers finally happened, and he got his first taste of Championship football in his new number eight shirt against the Owls.
Paul Robinson exclusively told MOT Leeds News that the Finnish international “must repay the faith” Farke has shown him, and a potential start could be the ideal opportunity. He could partner Ethan Ampadu in the middle of the park, coming off the back of a solid international break with Wales.
In the attacking lines, Farke may look to keep it the same. While the goalless clash against Wednesday did not paint his forwards in the best light, on paper these options are probably the best choices, so the German may opt to stick with them in hopes that they begin to click.
Willy Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter will be eager to improve their goal tally, with the pair still sitting on a goal a-piece.
New boy Joel Piroe looks to be Farke’s main man up top this season and it will be difficult to see how the Dutchman will be dropped. His prolific campaign with Swansea last season has given him the license to start for Farke.
In other Leeds United news, a pundit reveals the only Elland Road loanee he would want to see return to the club next season.