That’s two games undefeated for Leeds United at the start of their 2019/20 Sky Bet Championship campaign – results which leave them 4th in the table.
It was also two goals in two games for the irrepressible Pablo Hernandez, a player who performs much younger then his 34 years of age would suggest. He just seems to get better as he ages, like the best of fine wines.
On the player front, there’s a burgeoning relationship between club captain Liam Cooper and loanee Ben White at the centre of defence – a new partnership. Defensively, Stuart Dallas and Barry Douglas are also playing well enough to round out a good unit.
In midfield, it seems that the Whites are purring again. The metronome that is Kalvin Phillips keeps ticking over at the base of a midfield five. Out wide Jack Harrison continues to impress as does the aforementioned Pablo Hernandez. The central midfield duo of Adam Forshaw and Mateusz Klich continue to tick over, Klich looking the better of the two.
Up front, Leeds fans continue to show a degree of concern in Patrick Bamford, picking up on a supposed inability to convert in front of goal. Those concerns are despite him scoring in United’s opening 3-1 win and hitting the bar in Saturday’s draw against Nottingham Forest.
Tuesday and the EFL cup game vs Salford City
For the Whites, it’s a case of forgetting the league for a game and turning their thoughts to the cup. Up against the West Yorkshire side are league newcomers Salford City. The club, owned by some of Manchester United’s famed Class of ’92, won their opening fame of the season 2-0 vs Stevenage before losing by the same scoreline on Saturday at Crawley.
Against the Whites though, Salford City will face a huge step up in class. No matter what side Marcelo Bielsa chooses to put out, it will be a side that, on paper, should easily present a challenge to the Manchester-based side.
Leeds United likely line-up vs Salford City
- Goalkeeper: Illan Meslier
- Defence: Ezgjan Alioski (LB), Ben White (CB), Pascal Struijk (CB), Gaetano Berardi (RB)
- Midfield: Adam Forshaw (DM), Jack Clarke (LW), Jamie Shackleton (CM), Mateusz Bogusz (AM), Helder Costa (RW)
- Striker: Eddie Nketiah (STR)
Commentary
Leeds United could get to see both deadline signings Meslier and Nketiah feature in what will no doubt be a changed line-up but one that is still strong. First-teamers Berardi and Alioski could also come in to anchor the full-back positions.
Midfield could see the most changes with possibly just Adam Forshaw keeping his starting role, but dropping deeper to compensate for no Kalvin Phillips in the defensive midfield role. It is likely that expectant Leeds fans will get to see Jack Clarke and Helder Costa start and Mateusz Bogusz start where he left off against Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia.
The biggest thing Leeds fans will be looking forward to seeing will be Arsenal youngster Eddie Nketiah surely get a starting role against League Two Salford City. Much is expected of the youngster, and Leeds United fans will hopefully get to see a big slice of that expectation.
