Four wins and one drawn game represents Leeds United’s lot in the Sky Bet Championship to press in a league where they top the table. It is from the league to the Carabao Cup that Leeds United turn their gaze tonight.
It is the second round of the Carabao Cup tonight for the Whites, the second game at Elland Road after dispatching Bolton Wanderers 2-1 in the last round courtesy of goals from Patrick Bamford and Samuel Saiz.
Changes are more than likely to be made, considering that first-place Leeds face second-place Middlesbrough at Elland Road on Friday night. All those players who are part of the first-team squad at Elland Road were likely to be in Marcelo Bielsa’s thoughts as he came up with whatever side would represent the Whites tonight.
Leeds United squad vs Preston North End (Carabao Cup 2nd round)
📋 | Tonight’s #LUFC Starting XI presented by @Ladbrokes:
Blackman, Pearce, Shaughnessy, Jansson, Shackleton, Baker, Phillips, Harrison, Dallas (c), Roberts, Bamford pic.twitter.com/nrlMhWPNQ3
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 28, 2018
It’s changes galore for the Whites tonight as they gear up to face their visitors from Lancashire in a match-up that always tests Leeds. Journalist Adam Pope, safely ensconced in the commentary positions high at Elland Road said that a lot of Saturday’s team were present, mentioning Kalvin Phillips, Samuel Saiz, Gjanni Alioski and Luke Ayling.
As it was those starting on Saturday were largely rested with only Kalvin Phillips and Pontus Jansson starting tonight. There was also a welcome return from injury for Stuart Dallas who not only starts but has been given the captain’s armband. The bench is stuffed with first-team regulars Barry Douglas, Luke Ayling, Samu Saiz, Mateusz Klich, Gjanni Alioski and Kemar Roofe.
For fans enjoying the ‘Bielsa-ball’ style of football, the good news is that this style of football percolates through all levels at Elland Road. It is with the above 18 that fans will hopefully see a winning start across the board by Leeds United continue.
It is a line-up that was bound to draw comment from Leeds United fans on Twitter. Here’s how some of them have reacted to the team for tonight:
9 changes and that’s still one hell of a team. Lovely stuff.
— Mr Geldard (@MrJGeldard) August 28, 2018
Nice to see dallas starting 😍
— dean madden (@rko4life2009) August 28, 2018
Not a bad ‘2nd string’ #lufc looking strong and I reckon moving on to next round of #CarabaoCup #ALAW
— Steve Morphet (@SMorph78) August 28, 2018
That bench pic.twitter.com/7GcRaybRkp
— Ryan Maudsley (@RMaudsleyPhotos) August 28, 2018
Good side but Blackman looked shaky in first round. Hoping for a solid performance and a few goals from Jamie
— ROB (@RJM_83) August 28, 2018
Great balance between field and bench! Gotta love #Bielsa#lufc #mot #alaw
— Wentfishing (@Want2gofishing) August 28, 2018
