Leeds United’s attention now turns to the FA Cup, where they travel to former Championship rivals Derby County, allowing Daniel Farke the opportunity to rest and rotate his key players. The break from Premier League action comes at a good time, with the Whites (and most viewers) still recovering from their breathless 4-3 defeat against Newcastle United last time out. Here is our Leeds United team news and predicted lineup.
Leeds United Team News and Predicted Lineup For FA Cup Clash With Derby County
How Leeds Have Lined Up Recently
In his pre-match press conference, Farke was not afraid to criticise goalkeeper Lucas Perri, who has come under fire in recent weeks for his consistently subpar performances. The Leeds manager said: ‘Of course, last few games Lucas had situations he could have saved and decision-making wasn’t great.’
The Brazilian keeper will be replaced by Karl Darlow for the cup tie, and a solid performance from the Welshman against the Rams could see him shoot up the pecking order.
Against Newcastle, Leeds were able to revert to their first-choice back three, with Joe Rodon making a surprise early return from injury alongside stalwarts Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk.
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At left-wing back, Gabriel Gudmundsson is the United player who will be most glad of a rest, with the Swede completing the full 90 minutes in Leeds’ last four games over just a 10-day period. On the right side, James Justin has deputised for the injured Jayden Bogle in recent weeks, starting Leeds’ last three games and looking solid throughout.
In central midfield, Leeds opted for the tough-tackling trio of Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach and Ilia Gruev, although the four goals they conceded suggest that they failed to keep it as tight as Farke may have hoped for.
In attack, Brenden Aaronson was selected to partner Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and the American produced his finest performance in a United shirt to date. A personal favourite of the Leeds boss for his relentless energy, the attacker now appears to have added a clinical edge to his game, scoring twice from situations where you would previously have expected him to miss. It is now three goals in two games for the USMNT international.
Leeds Recent Form and Tactics
Defeat at St James’ Park saw Leeds’ eight-game unbeaten run come to an end, despite the Whites leading 3-2 after 90 minutes. This has raised some questions about the ability of Farke’s side to see out results, despite their recent good form, and a win would have given them an 11-point gap over the relegation zone.
With all eyes now on the FA Cup, it gives Leeds a much-needed break to rest and reflect on the fantastic progress they have made so far this season, and where they can improve to ensure they remain in the Premier League beyond May.
The Whites, who lifted club football’s oldest trophy back in 1972, have struggled to make much of an impact in the FA Cup in recent years. In fact, United haven’t made it past the fifth round of the competition since 2002/03, the year they were relegated from the Premier League. With an embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday already on their conscience, Leeds will be desperate to put together a decent cup run this season, even if their league form will always be the priority.
Leeds Team News
Farke stated in his press conference that it will be ‘more or less the same group of players’ available as it was against Newcastle.
Bogle is one injured player who could be in line for a return, although the German stated that he will not play him if it seems ‘risky’ to do so.
He also confirmed that Darlow will be between the sticks at Pride Park.
Leeds United Predicted Lineup
GK: Karl Darlow
RB: Sam Byram
CB: Sebastiaan Bournaw
CB: Pascal Struijk
LB: James Justin
CM: Ilia Gruev
CM: Ao Tanaka
CM: Ethan Ampadu
RW: Jack Harrison
ST: Joel Piroe
LW: Willy Gnonto
