MOT View: System change, Liam Cooper starts – Predicted Leeds United starting XI v Chelsea
Leeds United welcome Chelsea to Elland Road on Wednesday evening [11 May] knowing that they need a result in the Premier League relegation battle.
Jesse Marsch has plenty of selection headaches to deal with though, with a number of his key, most experienced players already ruled out of action.
Luke Ayling is suspended for the rest of the season after his red card at Arsenal, with Adam Forshaw and Stuart Dallas also ruled out long term.
Illan Meslier will keep his spot as always, and he will need to play much better than he did at Arsenal, forgetting that huge mistake he made when conceding the opening goal.
The Whites will go back to a five-at-the-back formation with Liam Cooper coming in to captain the squad with his experience desperately needed.
Along with him in the heart of the defence will be Robin Koch and Diego Llorente, as our international defenders finally play together.
Junior Firpo will start on the left, and we think Dan James would be best suited to playing at right-wing-back, with his speed a real weapon in each third of the pitch.
Kalvin Phillips will start in a midfield two, with Mateusz Klich alongside him given the freedom to get forward and burst into the final third when given the chance, with this Chelsea side leaving space when they attack.
Unfortunately for Joe Gelhardt, he may miss out again with experience surely needing to be relied on at this stage of the season and one attacking man dropping out in a now front-three.
Rodrigo will be the man to lead the line and the Spaniard will surely be chomping at the bit after being placed on the bench initially at Arsenal over the weekend.
Finishing up the line up will be Jack Harrison and Raphinha, with the Brazilian especially needing to step up after yet another shocking display packed with sulking and moaning – let your football do the talking.
Here’s how we expect the Whites to line up tomorrow…
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared what Luke Ayling did in the dressing room after the defeat at Arsenal