Leeds XI predicted for trip to Birmingham: Gnonto omitted as 21-year-old returns from injury

On Saturday, Leeds United travel to Birmingham City for their second Championship encounter of the season.

Daniel Farke will be searching for his first league win as Leeds manager after a 0-0 stalemate with Cardiff City last weekend, but he did oversee a 2-1 Carabao Cup success over Shrewsbury Town on Wednesday.

Farke has already faced a number of selection quandaries as a result of continuous transfer rumours and a slew of injury issues.
Last weekend’s absences included Georginio Rutter, Sam Greenwood, Jack Harrison, Tyler Adams, Junior Firpo, Cody Drameh, Mateo Joseph, and Patrick Bamford, as well as Crysencio Summerville and Liam Cooper.

Speculation about Wilfried Gnonto‘s future has also increased this week, so with all of that in mind, we’ve done our best to forecast how Farke would line up.

Goalkeeper

Karl Darlow made his competitive Leeds debut earlier this week against Shrewsbury, but Illan Meslier is expected to keep the number one spot while he is here.

Defence

 made his return from injury in the cup but considering that he only played the final five minutes, Luke Ayling is expected to keep his spot at right-back, with Sam Byram taking over for Leo Hjelde on the opposite side.

As Leeds attempt to secure Joe Rodon’s loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur, Charlie Cresswell and Pascal Struijk appear ready to start together for the first time at centre-back.

Midfield

Leeds appear to be incredibly short on numbers in the heart of the pitch, therefore Ethan Ampadu and Archie Grey will most likely continue their combination despite playing another 90 minutes on Wednesday.

Attack

There is too much talk surrounding Gnonto after he asked to be left out of the team against Shrewsbury.

Rutter, who returned to training this week after a small side strain, might get the lead up front, with Luis Sinisterra also returning.

Farke‘s minutes continue to impress Ian Poveda, who should start on the right with Dan James on the left.

Meslier; Ayling, Cresswell, Struijk, Byram; Ampadu, Grey; Poveda, Sinisterra, James; Rutter (4-2-3-1)