Leeds United host newly promoted Ipswich Town at Elland Road this Saturday for a 12:30 kickoff as they look to close the gap on the top two.
Leeds go into the game in third place, 10 points behind their opposition Ipswich in second. The Yorkshire side head into the game unbeaten at home, boasting a win in the reverse fixture at Portman Road earlier this season.
Whereas Kieran McKenna’s side make the journey north off the back of a five-game unbeaten streak, losing just once away from home this season at the hands of ex-Leeds man Carlos Corberan’s West Bromwich Albion. The home side, however, enter this weekend in a small run of poor form, dropping points in consecutive games for the first time since August.
Injury News
Speaking to the press, Farke confirmed there are no new injury concerns for his team, with long-term absentee Stuart Dallas joined by academy graduate pair Jamie Shackleton and Sam Byram. The Whites could, however, welcome back Junior Firpo to the matchday squad, which will provide them with choices at the left-back position between the Dominican international and on-loan full-back Djed Spence, who has filled in since Byram’s injury.
Colombian international Ian Poveda will also be back in the mix after impressing whilst away with his country in South America. The manager has confirmed the 23-year-old returned with a “smile on his face” after his international debut and will be in contention here.
Predicted Starting XI
Formation: 4-2-3-1.
GK – Illan Meslier
The Frenchman is one of two players who hasn’t missed a minute in the league this season so far. Whilst his performances have come under some scrutiny with some fans doubting his numbers, the shot-stopper has made some exceptional saves such as against Sunderland or Leicester City to keep his side in the game.
RB – Archie Gray
At just 17-years-old, it seems bizarre we’re still talking about this kid in the starting XI but his performances have certainly earned him a place on the pitch for his childhood club. Gray has started 19 games in the league this season and hardly put a foot wrong, therefore he’s expected to be Farke’s go-to for this one in his newfound position.
CB – Joe Rodon
The Tottenham loanee has been magnificent since he arrived in West Yorkshire, with only two losses in the 18 games he has started, the same amount as in the three games he hasn’t featured in. One of the first names on the teamsheet when fit, he makes up one-half of a centre-back pairing conceding less than 0.9 goals per 90.
CB – Pascal Struijk
Struijk has been a part of Leeds’ squad since the first time they found their way out of this division, having played as a centre-half, defensive midfielder and even left-back. Since settling this season in the heart of defence alongside Rodon, the 24-year-old is playing his best football, even stepping up and holding the armband in the absence of Liam Cooper and Luke Ayling.
LB – Djed Spence
The fast right-back has had some injury issues since arriving but otherwise has filled in admirably at left-back whilst Sam Byram finds himself injured. It’s likely that Farke won’t change things yet after he spoke highly of Spence’s season so far to the press.
CM – Ethan Ampadu
As the other player who has featured every time for Farke, you could perhaps question whether Ampadu will be fit to play again this weekend. Speaking in the presser Farke confirmed: “Ethan has played each and every minute and has also had international games… But I would also reckon that Ethan is ready.”. Therefore it is likely he starts once again in the heart of midfield.
CM – Glen Kamara
After arriving for similar fees around the same time, the journeys of Kamara and Illia Gruev have been polar opposites so far. Kamara has been a stalwart for The Peacocks and as a senior member of the squad at just 28, it would be unlikely he is dropped to make room for anyone else in this team, such as his midfield counterpart Gruev.
RM – Daniel James
The speedy Welshman has been at the receiving end of some calls to be replaced in order to make room for Italian international Willy Gnonto in the Leeds starting XI. However, with the impressive attacking record of Ipswich left-back Leif Davis and the open nature of the first fixture between these sides, Farke could opt for the seven-goal James over the Italian international this time out.
CAM – Joel Piroe
Another position where Leeds fans have called for change is the number 10 spot currently operated by new signing Joel Piroe. Whilst he has tended to go missing at times this season, with eight goals so far and an impressive performance last time out at Portman Road, the Leeds boss could prefer the former Swansea City man.
LM – Crysencio Summerville
10 goals, six assists, and 22-years-old. Summerville has been electric this season off the left and shows no signs of slowing down. Farke would be mad to drop his star player ahead of such a big fixture at this stage of the campaign.
ST – Georginio Rutter
To complete the unchanged line-up Rutter will likely be the go-to for this one up front. With an unprecedented 4.5 shot-creating actions per 90 (according to FBREF), the exciting 21-year-0ld Frenchman has been a key element of Leeds’ dynamic attack this season.
Leeds will hope to close the gap on the top two with a win this weekend, especially with Ipswich then travelling to league leaders Leicester City on Boxing Day. Despite concerns from the Yorkshire faithful of their squad struggling with fitness over the Christmas period, Farke remains confident of his squad’s overall freshness, saying: “They’re professional athletes and they sleep and train for this job.”
He does however admit it will be important to rotate over the busy upcoming period. The question remains will that be tomorrow or will he hold out until Preston North End on Boxing Day?
