Leeds United will be keen to build on last week’s hard-fought victory as they head down to the South Coast to take on Brighton. The Whites will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins against the Seagulls, who are just one point ahead in the table. Here is our Leeds United predicted lineup.
Leeds United Predicted Lineup For Away Trip to Brighton
How Leeds Have Lined Up Recently
Daniel Farke made several changes for Leeds’s 2-1 victory over West Ham last time out, including in goal, where Lucas Perri was restored to the starting lineup in place of Karl Darlow.
Another notable adjustment was at centre-half, where Joe Rodon was partnered by summer signing Jaka Bijol, who was brought in to replace Pascal Struijk. The Slovenian international took full advantage of the opportunity, producing an assured and imposing performance in his first league start for the Whites.
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Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson have been Leeds’s starting full-backs for every game this season so far, and have been key to the club’s strong start. In midfield, Farke opted for the more creative Ao Tanaka in place of Anton Stach, with the Japan international lining up alongside regulars Ethan Ampadu and Sean Longstaff.
Out wide, Noah Okafor made his much-needed return to the lineup, but it was fellow winger Brenden Aaronson who stole the headlines. The American, much-maligned throughout his time in a United shirt, scored the opening goal and put in arguably his best performance for the club, including a magnificent solo run which culminated in his long-range effort striking the crossbar.
It was another quality all-round performance from Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front, but the England forward will be desperate to end the four-game goalless run he now finds himself on.
Leeds Recent Form and Tactics
One area in which Leeds have clearly improved this season is from dead-ball situations. Joe Rodon’s thumping header against the Hammers was the club’s fourth set-piece goal in nine games, set up by inch perfect delivery from summer signing Sean Longstaff.
The former Newcastle midfielder has now created 18 chances this season, with only Bruno Fernandes, Jack Grealish, and Cody Gakpo ahead of him, and his dead-ball delivery makes him a key weapon in Leeds’ arsenal.
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One potentially worrying area for Farke’s team is their ability to close out games, with Mateus Fernandes’s 90th-minute strike leading to a nervy finish in what should have been a comfortable victory. The Whites have already conceded in the 93rd minute against Bournemouth and the 94th against Fulham, with these two goals effectively costing them three points, so this is a trend they will need to be wary of as the season progresses.
Leeds Absences to Consider
Despite being forced off with a dead leg against West Ham, Farke confirmed that Gudmundsson is ‘back and available’ for the trip to the Amex.
Willy Gnonto is back in first-team training, and whilst a start is out of the question, he could feature from the bench.
Leeds Predicted Lineup
GK: Lucas Perri
RB: Jayden Bogle
CB: Joe Rodon
CB: Jaka Bijol
LB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
CM: Ethan Ampadu
CM: Sean Longstaff
CM: Ao Tanaka
RW: Brenden Aaronson
LW: Noah Okafor
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Featured Image Credit:
IMAGO / Paul Marriott
