The YEP projects which Leeds United players will get the go-ahead to start in tomorrow’s lunchtime encounter at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers.
Daniel Farke has stuck with an unchanged starting lineup on a few occasions this season, showing that he is not one to make major changes to his starting lineup. With five victories in their last six games, the German team has established itself and is undefeated at Elland Road in league and cup play for the whole 2023–2024 season.
Although Stuart Dallas, Ian Poveda, and Junior Firpo will not be playing for the Whites this weekend when they visit Lancashire, there is still plenty to be decided regarding who will take the field at 12:30 on Saturday afternoon.
Following his first call-up to the South American nation’s squad for friendlies against Venezuela and Mexico this month, Poveda may soon be a full Colombian international. The Leeds winger has made only a few appearances under Farke this season. Although their games do not fall during one of FIFA’s official international windows, Leeds has consented to release the player for international duty after the player stated that he would like to take part.
Poveda’s absence creates room for players who were recently left off of the team on matchdays, after he started the majority of this season on Farke’s bench. While discussing who would replace Poveda, Farke specifically highlighted young forwards Mateo Joseph and Joe Gelhardt, but he refrained from naming the person who would start. He did say that a “late decision” would be taken and that it would depend on how well the team performed in training on Friday.
Here is the starting XI we think Farke will name at Ewood Park.
1. Illan Meslier – GK
He’s been Daniel Farke’s No. 1 all season, and we can’t see that changing all of a sudden.
2. Archie Gray – RB
The 17-year-old looks a natural at right-back and perhaps produced his best performance of the season there against Middlesbrough last weekend.
3. Joe Rodon – CB
The Welsh international has been a rock at the back in recent weeks and made a decisive block late on against Boro to ensure Leeds took home all three points.
4. Pascal Struijk – CB
As stand-in skippers go, there can’t be too many more assured than Pascal Struijk. A little wobble against Boro, but that won’t be enough for Farke to draft in Liam Cooper.
5. Sam Byram – LB
With Junior Firpo injured again, there can only be one solution at left-back: Byram.
6. Glen Kamara – CM
Week-by-week we’re starting to see the best from the ex-Rangers man at this level. He’s tailormade for this team.
7. Ethan Ampadu – CM
Leeds’ only remaining outfield ever-present, it’s hard to imagine the side without him in it.
8. Crysencio Summerville – LW
Eight goals and six assists speaks for itself – if he’s fit, he plays.
9. Dan James – RW
James has been electric since dropping into the Championship and is expected to keep Willy Gnonto warming the bench for another week.
10. Joel Piroe – CF
Eight goals in 16 matches this season, Piroe has that magic 1-in-2 ratio all strikers crave – and how about that spot-kick against Boro…
11. Georginio Rutter – ST
Not his best game last weekend but Georginio has enough credit in the bank to be given the benefit of the doubt. He’s young and his form will be streaky. Blackburn ship goals, though, and this is the perfect opportunity to bounce back.
