After clinching a 3-2 win over Ipswich Town at the Elland Road on Saturday, Leeds United are due to make a trip to the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday to face Cardiff City. Both these clubs have had a stupendous start to their Championship campaign this season, having collected 20 points from 9 games.
The Whites are placed at the top of the league table whereas the Bluebirds are placed 3rd, with goal difference separating these two clubs. Here is how we expect Thomas Christiansen to dish out his starting XI against Neil Warnock’s troops.
Defence
Pontus Jansson is expected to return to the starting line-up after being left out against Ipswich Town on Saturday as a precautionary measure after missing the Carabao Cup win against Burnley owing to his hamstring strain. Jansson should be teed up alongside Liam Cooper at the heart of the defence of Christiansen’s side, for they have been resilient together at the back.
Summer signing Felix Wiedwald should be given the gloves to start between the sticks. The custodian has been a fine shot-stopper so far and would be itching to bag a clean sheet away from home. At the left-back slot, Vurnon Anita should be given the nod to start whereas from the right-back position, Luke Ayling’s industry is likely to be seen from the very beginning.
Midfield
The duo comprising of Eunan O’Kane and Kalvin Phillips was absolutely dazzling and Christiansen is expected to stick with them. O’Kane and Phillips shielded the backline meticulously, knitted the side together as a unit and did maraud forward time and again against the Tractor Boys to rattle the defence of the opposition.
To be engineered at the no.10 slot should be Samu Saiz. Saiz, one of the summer signings of the Peacocks, has carved a sensational start to his life at his new club as he has already accumulated 2 goals and 2 assists in 8 Championship games and would be keen to continue his fine run of form in the next outing.
Attack
Right up front, Pierre-Michel Lasogga is expected to be given the nod to start, for he banged yet another goal in the last fixture to make it 3 goals in 4 games. He has been able to offer a sharp attacking tooth and it goes without saying that he would be keen to find the back of the net against Cardiff City as well.
From the left wing, Pablo Hernandez is seemingly likely to showcase his attacking prowess whereas, on the right wing, we expect Christiansen to use Ezgjan Alioski.
Here is how they might line up:
