Leeds United return to Premier League action with a winnable home fixture against Fulham, where they have the opportunity to go 11 points clear of the relegation zone with a victory. Daniel Farke’s side recovered from a goal down to win 3-1 against Derby County in the FA Cup last time out, and their focus now turns to further securing their top flight status. Here is our Leeds United team news and predicted lineup.
Leeds United Team News and Predicted Lineup For Must-Win Home Clash vs Fulham
How Leeds Have Lined Up Recently
Backup goalkeeper Karl Darlow came into the side for Leeds’ FA Cup victory over Derby, but is likely to be replaced by Lucas Perri for the Fulham game, despite the Brazilian’s recent struggles. Darlow conceded from the one shot on target he faced against the Rams, so did not exactly make himself undroppable for the next game.
Leeds’s back-three of Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, and Jaka Bijol have all been outstanding performers this season, and the break from league action allowed both Rodon and Struijk a well-earned rest against Derby. Captain Ethan Ampadu and Sebastiaan Bournauw were selected in their place alongside Bijol.
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James Justin, who came off the bench to score his first goal for the club, and fellow wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson were also rested against the Rams, with both having played three games in the space of a week. With Jayden Bogle likely to make a return to the squad to take on Marco Silva’s side, Farke faces a slight selection headache at right wing-back, where Justin has been impressive in the 25-year-old’s absence.
Operating in a 3-4-1-2 system with no conventional full-backs in the side, Farke opted for Willy Gnonto and Jack Harrison as makeshift wing-backs/wide midfielders.
In midfield, Ilia Greuv started alongside Ao Tanaka, with the Japan international firing in Leeds’ second goal from close range. Sean Longstaff also stepped up his recovery from a considerable injury layoff, coming off the bench in the 73rd minute to get valuable minutes into his legs.
Up front, United lined up with Joel Piroe slightly behind a two-man strike force of Noah Okafor and Lukas Nmecha, allowing star man Dominic Calvert-Lewin to rest and recharge. A much-needed rest was also given to Brenden Aaronson, who has arguably been Leeds’ best player over the last few weeks.
Leeds Recent Form and Tactics
Farke’s tactical switch to a rather unusual 3-4-1-2 shape against Derby seemed largely borne out of the necessity of resting his wing-backs, so it is highly likely that United will line up in their typical 3-5-2 system against Fulham. A home fixture against a mid-table side, even one in as good form as Fulham, will be the sort of game Leeds need to win to shore up their status as a Premier League outfit.
The Whites have won 73% of their points this season at home, meaning that they are the team with the highest proportion of points won in their own backyard in the league. Meanwhile, Fulham have earned just 35% of their points this season away from Craven Cottage, suggesting that the odds are firmly in favour of Farke’s men.
Leeds United Team News
One possible addition to Leeds’ squad to take on Fulham is new signing Facundo Buonanotte, with the Argentinian arriving on loan to add additional creativity to their attacking options.
In his pre-match press conference, Farke said injury doubts Bogle, Rodon, Gudmundsson, and Sebastiaan Bournauw are all ‘back in contention’ for the game.
This leaves Daniel James as the solitary Leeds player sidelined at the moment.
Leeds United Predicted Lineup
GK: Lucas Perri
CB: Joe Rodon
CB: Jaka Bijol
CB: Pascal Struijk
RWB: James Justin
LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
CM: Ethan Ampadu
CM: Anton Stach
CM: Brenden Aaronson
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
ST: Noah Okafor
Featured Image Credit:
IMAGO / Sportimage
