On Saturday, Leeds United will visit Home Park for the second time in February when they travel out of Yorkshire to play Plymouth Argyle.
The Whites will play Ian Foster’s club three times in 2024, although it will be in the Championship for the first time since they defeated the newly promoted team 2-1 in November 2023. Following their 1-1 FA Cup tie at Elland Road in January, Leeds and the other team were forced to rematch their match earlier this month, with Leeds emerging victorious 4-1 in extra time. Since then, Daniel Farke’s team has defeated Rotherham United and Swansea in two Championship games, winning 7-0 overall. With games coming up thick and fast, the German head coach may make some changes to the starting lineup after Tuesday night’s 4-0 demolition of the Swans in Wales.
In light of this, the following is FFC’s anticipated Whites lineup for this weekend’s matchup against Plymouth at Home Park…
Illan Meslier
Illan Meslier has been Farke’s first option in goal for Leeds during the 2023–24 campaign, therefore he should continue to hold that position. In his previous game against Swansea, he made one save to preserve a clean sheet. In this matchup against Plymouth, he will be aiming for another shutout.
Connor Roberts
Connor Roberts, who signed with Premier League club Burnley on loan on deadline day, might be the first player to change from the starting lineup at right-back, replacing Archie Grey.
The table above illustrates how well the 17-year-old academy graduate performed in Wales, winning all of his duels with great defence and providing an assist for Wilfried Gnonto’s opening goal.
But given the hectic schedule, it could be wise to sit the adolescent prodigy and give Roberts a chance to make an impression. In addition to giving Grey a break, it would enable the Wales international to increase his match fitness so that, should Farke need him, he won’t be short on it in subsequent games.
Joe Rodon
On Tuesday night, Joe Rodon gave an incredible performance against his old team. The FFC article below details his outstanding performance.
Ethan Ampadu
Alongside fellow national Ethan Ampadu, another Wales international ought to start at the centre of defence. After an injury to Pascal Struijk prompted a move at centre back in 2024, he was a revelation. Leeds has won all seven of the games in which the duo has started at centre back, while also maintaining six clean sheets and giving up just one goal. They should resume on Saturday to keep out players like Ryan Hardie and Morgan Whittaker since they have been dominant at the back.
Junior Firpo
Junior Firpo is expected to play at left defence after Sam Byram was injured on Tuesday and was not included in the matchday squad. With 12 Championship games this season, the former Barcelona full-back has helped four goals. Against Plymouth, he might provide a creative threat.
Ilia Gruev
After putting up a strong performance on Tuesday, former Werder Bremen centre midfielder Ilia Gruev is another player who deserves to remain in the starting lineup. The magnificent jewel finished 93% of his passes in midfield for Leeds, setting up Crysencio Summerville’s opening goal of the game.
Glen Kamara
Gruev and Glen Kamara made a fantastic pairing that allowed the Whites to dominate the encounter against Swansea, thus Farke should start the two together again. The Finland international produced two opportunities for his teammates and completed an impressive 96% of his passes tried, demonstrating how infrequently the team’s midfielders gave up the ball.
Dan James
Dan James, who will replace Georginio Rutter on the right side of the attack, might be the second and last personnel change to the starting XI. Naturally, this isn’t a straight replacement because, as was the case against Swansea, the French whiz is usually used in the number ten position. Rutter’s performance against the Swans was not great; he did not provide any opportunities for his teammates and did not score on any of his four shot attempts, resulting in an xG of 0.32. James might make a comeback to the starting lineup this weekend after making a cameo off the bench against his old team following his injury.
With 23 Championship starts this season, the Wales international—who previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said had the “X-factor”—has 10 goals and six assists, demonstrating his ability to be a game-winning weapon for the Whites.
Wilfried Gnonto
Gnonto might take up a central role if James was bravely substituted for Rutter. This would provide the versatile player more chances to break through the middle and attack the opposing goal.
Crysencio Summerville
Another player who ought to maintain his spot in the starting lineup is Summerville, the Dutch wizard who has been a consistent menace to opposing defences this year. For Farke’s club on the left wing, the 22-year-old star has made 29 appearances in the Championship this season, tallying 15 goals and 8 assists.
