Leeds United boss Daniel Farke could ring the changes this weekend as the Peacocks face Championship strugglers Huddersfield Town in the West Yorkshire Derby.
A late Pascal Struijk own goal handed Stoke City all three points on Wednesday at the Bet365 Stadium which gave Ipswich Town the chance to widen the gap between second and third to nine points following a 1-0 win away at Bristol City. The Tractor Boys also have a game in hand on Leeds.
Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich are the favourites to come out on top against Plymouth Argyle this weekend so it is of utmost importance that Farke’s men get back to winning ways in front of their home crowd.
The German coach may even be set to make some changes to the starting lineup that lost on Wednesday night, bringing in the likes of Glen Kamara, Crysencio Summerville and Daniel James to the team, according to journalist William Jackson.
Writing for Leeds Live in his match preview, Jackson said [quotes via Caught Offside]:
“Changes will be made this weekend as Leeds look to end the month of October on a high.
“The manager spelled Glen Kamara, Crysencio Summerville and Dan James at Stoke and it seems likely that all three men will step back into the starting line-up to face Huddersfield.”
Former Leeds United defender Ben Parker has also called for the return of stalwart Luke Ayling to the starting eleven to allow promising youngster Archie Gray to push into his natural position in the middle of the park.
Speaking to LS11 on Thursday morning, Parker commented:
“For us, I expect a couple of changes. Ayling to come in at right-back to push Gray into midfield. I expect us to be bang at it.”
Writer’s View
This is a big game for Leeds United, not just because it is a derby against their West Yorkshire rivals but because Ipswich Town will likely pick up another three points. The wider the gap becomes between second and third, the more daunting promotion will be.
The Peacocks may well achieve a playoff spot by the end of the season, but as Leeds United fans know best from the 2018/19 season, these knockout matches can be devastating.
