Leeds United are still without a host of players as they head into the festive period and now we know that Spanish midfielder Samu Saiz is added to that list. Luke Ayling, Gaetano Berardi, Izzy Brown, Stuart Dallas and Liam Cooper are all absent but the Marcelo Bielsa machine keeps on rolling and today is a huge game.
Potential Leeds XI
GK – Baily Peacock-Farrell – The only senior goalkeeper currently at the club and in some goof form.
RB – Jamie Shackleton – There aren’t many options and Shackleton deserves to keep his place. A very promising talent.
CB – Pontus Jansson – A pillar of strength at the back at the moment and we need to hope he stays fit and in form with the current problems at the back.
CB – Kalvin Phillips – Had a decent game there against QPR despite the mistake for the goal between himself and Jansson. Halme may start if Phillips is moved back into the middle.
LB – Barry Douglas – Although Douglas has had a good season so far I would like to see more from him going forward. Nailed on at left-back.
CM – Adam Forshaw – Has been up and down in terms of performances and has to be more forward thinking on the ball, but certain to start at the moment.
CM – Lewis Baker – There aren’t many options in the middle at the moment. There could be changes today with Halme in and that would mean Phillips into midfield and Baker probably on the bench, but maybe Baker will get another chance. Has the ability, we haven’t seen it yet.
CAM – Mateusz Klich – Needs to focus on getting in and around the box at the moment and make sure when Roofe drops deep he gets beyond him. With Alioski’s form at the moment it only leaves himself, Roofe and Hernandez to create in reality.
RW – Gjanni Alioski – Would I start him? Absolutely not, but Bielsa will almost certainly play him over youngster Jack Clarke. Has to do more, is due some performances, today would be nice.
LW – Pablo Hernandez – I much prefer him playing off the left and coming inside, he’s crucial in a game like this.
ST – Kemar Roofe – In good form and seems to be getting the goals of a number nine despite not playing in that way. Bamford back on the bench and ready for action can only be good for him.
