Rothwell to be axed, Byram call to be made – Leeds United predicted XI v Oxford
Daniel Farke could drop Joe Rothwell from his Leeds United side on Saturday against Oxford United due to the availability of Ethan Ampadu.
The Whites face their final Elland Road contest of 2024 this weekend [21 December] with Oxford, who have recently gone separate ways with manager Des Buckingham, the final visitors of the calendar year.
Rothwell has been sublime alongside Ao Tanaka in the engine room of Farke’s midfield so far this campaign, but is the likelier of the two to be dropped if the German opts for the same system but wants to bring back captain Ampadu.
The skipper’s return from injury has been via cameo roles off the bench of late, but eventually he is backed to regularly start once again, and Tanaka’s relative youth to Rothwell and the fact he is a contracted player rather than a loanee may just swing it for the Japanese international.
Leeds United to make one change v Oxford
Despite a largely underwhelming performance last time out at Preston – salvaging a stoppage-time leveller through an own goal – Leeds are a different beast on home soil.
For this reason, Farke will likely stick with much of the tried and tested line-up he has at his disposal, but will be itching to get Ampadu back as a starter.
It could also be possible – though more likely for an away contest – that Ampadu, Rothwell and Tanaka all line up together as a central trio, which would consequently see Brenden Aaronson the probable candidate to drop out.
Aaronson is dynamic at Elland Road, and Dan James on the right-hand side is in fine form. Sam Byram has filled in well across both full-back positions and is set to continue at left-back.
Joel Piroe could be preferred once again to Mateo Joseph as a link-up option, though Joseph had more of an effect when he came on at Preston, playing a big hand in the equalising goal.
This has appeared to be a habit exhibited by both of the attacking duo, making a superior impact off the bench as opposed to when they are included from the off.
In other Leeds news, David Prutton reacts with shock to a comment made about Farke by his co-host.
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