View: Bielsa to axe 28yo, new-look defence after crippling injury – Predicted Leeds XI v Burnley
The Leeds United players get Boxing Day off this year but knowing Bielsa they’ll be working off their turkey dinners with some brutal sessions at Thorp Arch.
Then it’s Burnley on December 27, the first of two games that Leeds will be looking for maximum points from.
After Burnley comes West Brom and they’re two very winnable games.
However, Leeds have their problems.
Liam Cooper limped out of the game against Man United – in what MOT Leeds News columnist Paul Robinson called a crippling blow – and we’re working on the assumption that he’s not going to play against Burnley.
Diego Llorente is back in training but we can’t see him starting either after he picked up another injury after being rushed back last time.
Robin Koch is out until the spring.
It means a start in the middle for Pascal Struijk or Leif Davis and we think that Struijk will get the nod.
However, we think Davis could come in on the left for 28-year-old Gjanni Alioski, who has struggled defensively. He was beaten by both Marcus Rashford and Daniel James against Man United and it’s time for a change.
Davis played just one half in the Under-23s on Monday and that usually signifies Bielsa prepping a player for action.
It means the centre of the Leeds defence will be Luke Ayling and Struijk and they’re going to have to be on their guard against a Burnley side that’s very dominant in the air.
They’ll know that set pieces are Leeds Achilles heel and will target that area.
Things are better in attack, where both Raphinha and Jack Harrison should take the wing spots.
Helder Costa and Pablo Hernandez should be on the bench, with Rodrigo and Mateusz Klich in the middle.
Patrick Bamford will undoubtedly start up top.
This is the side that we think can bring the festive cheer to Leeds fans on December 27…
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