The starting lineup for Leeds United’s Wednesday night match against Stoke City at the bet365 stadium is predicted by FLW.
On Wednesday night, Leeds United will meet Stoke City in Staffordshire in an effort to win their fourth straight league game.
They defeated Norwich City 3-2 at Carrow Road in their most dramatic victory ever, rallying from a 2-0 halftime hole behind two incredible goals from Crysencio Summerville.
After defeating Daniel Farke‘s former team, the Whites are now third in the standings and will head to Stoke in search of their seventh league victory of the year. Although they are now in 20th place, Stoke defeated Sunderland 2-1 to lessen the strain on Alex Neil‘s team.
A victory could further solidify Leeds‘ position in the play-off race and reduce the distance between them and the top two teams, Ipswich Town and Leicester City. Here, we examine the starting lineup that Leeds manager Farke might deploy in an effort to earn his team’s sixth league victory and overtake his former team by three points. Could he improve upon his prior triumph?
GK: Illan Meslier
For Farke, who is aware of who his number-one player is, this position has stayed the same in the league the entire season. Although Karl Darlow is also a goalkeeper for Leeds, they have many of options, but the 23-year-old is currently their best choice.
He appears likely to keep his spot for the most of the remaining games of the season if healthy. Meslier wasn’t at his best in their most recent loss to Southampton, but with four and a recent clean sheet, it would be absurd for Farke to turn to his assistant without an injury.
RB: Archie Gray
Gray may be a midfielder by trade, but Farke has forced to try Gray at right-back because Stuart Dallas and Djed Spence have been sidelined for most of the season. Although Jamie Shackleton is also a full-back option, Luke Ayling‘s performance has decreased recently.
Gray, a 17-year-old who has played there in the last two games, appears to be his preference at the moment. He did a great job against Bristol City, but had more difficulty with Norwich’s offensive threats. But it wouldn’t be a surprise if he continued to play the part for another game.
Rodon played less well than usual at Carrow Road this season, but he has solidified his position as Leeds’ starting right-sided center-back. To maintain the balance between a right and left footer at the heart of Leeds‘ defensive, he recently made his comeback from injury. Since his return, he had only given up one goal in the two games played before the break.
Although Farke will still want to rely on Liam Cooper or Ayling’s leadership, he shouldn’t want to upend the dynamic duo that has been the backbone of Leeds‘ defence. Cooper and Charlie Cresswell can’t match Rodon’s quality on the ball, and he still has a good aerial game.
CB: Pascal Struijk
Struijk is another who has better ball skills than all of Leeds‘ defensive choices. He has been one of Leeds‘ most imposing and reliable defenders so far this season and should continue in that role. Only a select few players, like the Dutchman, who was outstanding against QPR, Bristol City, and in the victory over Norwich despite conceding twice, emerged from the Southampton game with any credit.
For the Whites, Rodon and Struijk are a promising duo and should be given the chance to grow when healthy. He has been outstanding so far this year and has occasionally led the team as captain, most recently in the last two games. Even at the young age of 24, Struijk is proven to be a growing presence in Farke’s Leeds first team dressing room.
LB: Sam Byram
The 30-year-old has been the epitome of dependability, even when playing left back with his ostensibly “weaker” foot. Byram is a player the German is familiar with and can rely on in his system as a result of their time spent together, but the German is also protecting Byram to some extent as he improves his fitness following several years of injury troubles.
Junior Firpo and Dallas are both getting fitter and are getting close to returning, so Farke will soon have choices at left-back. His return to Elland Road has, so far, been a success, as he has connected brilliantly with his winger and provided superb ball movement down Leeds‘ left side. This season, Byram has been a breath of new air and he is likely to keep his place.
CM: Glen Kamara
After serving as a substitute in his first games, Kamara’s strengths are beginning to emerge. The 27-year-old has so far made an impression, and he was excellent against Bristol City as well. His ability to carry the ball under pressure and his ball retention make him a great option, and his passing has so far been precise and effective at connecting the dots.
Since Gray is only 17 and in his first season as a professional, Kamara can relieve some of the pressure off of his young shoulders and ought to be given another game right away. The Whites have been far too dependent on Gray in this position, despite the fact that Gray is obviously more than talented enough to play games at Championship level and make an impact.
CM: Ethan Ampadu
The best summer signing by some distance, Ampadu has been Leeds‘ best player so far this season and has shown outstanding consistency. Ampadu should keep his place for much of the season, be that to partner alongside Gray, Kamara, or Ilia Gruev at the base of midfield. Although, he is a player to have played every game so far for Leeds in league and cup and has been heavily involved for Wales, too, so may need a rest soon.
He will be tasked with picking up the pieces in transition and also instigating attacks from deep. Farke admitted he had been carrying a knock recently but he is a fundamental cog in his team. His experience for his age is also vital and could be again against Stoke. In the second half against Norwich, Ampadu was the sole midfielder running the show for Leeds, and continues to go from strength to strength.
RW: Crysencio Summerville
The Dutchman is undoubtedly better on the right side of the pitch, even if he played on the left against Norwich. With his two goals, he demonstrated why, when healthy, he is currently Leeds’ best wide player on either wing. With four contributions in his last three games, including the winning goal against QPR, an assist against Bristol City, and ensuing goals against Norwich, he has further demonstrated his talent.
Many of Leeds‘ other wingers have the ability to replace Willy Gnonto now that he’s sidelined, but none are as talented as Summerville. He should start above Jaidon Anthony and Dan James, even though the former will be on his tail and one of Leeds’ greatest players and biggest threats when healthy.
CAM: Joel Piroe
Piroe is already well off the mark thanks to five goals in nine games in a Leeds shirt, including the winner against Bristol City. Leeds needed a more natural finisher than either Georginio Rutter or Patrick Bamford in their team, and the 24-year-old provides that, be that as the lone striker or behind a centre-forward to make runs into the box from deep, which is where Farke passionately explained he would be deployed prior to the break.
Despite the goals, he has not always been afforded space to play and attack the box in games so far and can be a fairly anonymous figure in Leeds‘ press, which Farke must find solutions for. However, he will hope there are more chances in a game like this where things could be more open for him to exploits spaces. Piroe will obviously be vital for the Whites all season and is proving to be in his early outings whilst his partnership with Leeds’ main centre-forward develops.
LW: Willy Gnonto
The first goal versus Norwich was the result of a run by Dan James, who had been quite inconspicuous with the ball prior to then. When Gnonto came on, he appeared animated. James can’t match his technical ability, therefore it’s hard to imagine Farke keeping him out of the starting lineup for an extended period of time.
Gnonto is the other top winger at the team despite his recent injury. Given that this is currently the strongest part of Leeds’ roster thanks to players like Anthony and James, he will need to be at his absolute best. But the Italian is a weapon against any resistance because of his directness in transition and against a low block.
CF: Georginio Rutter
Rutter was named September’s Player of the Month for Leeds. Although he may not be a true lone striker, Farke and Leeds have showed signs of developing him there with Piroe lining up directly behind the Frenchman, and he is taking ownership of the role. Due to the ongoing injuries to players like Bamford, Farke has been left without many options; nonetheless, there is no reason to bring the 30-year-old back, even though he is now another option at his disposal from the bench.
The latest matchup offers Piroe and Rutter yet another chance to shine together as they have in prior games. Farke obviously wants to establish Piroe and Rutter as a partnership. Former has room to explore thanks to Rutter’s dribbling, carrying ability, and agility in confined situations. He has already contributed four assists, including the brilliant ball that Summerville used to score the winning goal. Rutter is progressing well, despite the fact that he has only scored two goals so far.
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