Leeds United will play their first home game of the season against Nottingham Forest this weekend. The Whites blew away Bristol City in the first game, and most believe that this could be their year to move up to the Premier League. United were busy in the final hours of the transfer window as they pulled off two deals. They needed to get new players in after the departure of Kemar Roofe and Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Nottingham Forest lost their opening fixture to another one of the promotion favourites West Brom. It’s fair to say that they have been handed a rough start to their Championship campaign. They will need to be at their best, especially in the first half-hour as Leeds United will look to start in a blistering fashion. The Whites should be the favourites to get another win.
Team News: Luke Ayling and Tyler Roberts are the two-players who will miss out. Apart from that, there are no major injury concerns for Bielsa, and everyone should be fit and raring to go.
Leeds United Predicted Lineup Vs Nottingham Forest
Formation (4-1-4-1)
There was a lot of talk about Bielsa using his famed 3-3-1-3 system, but he stuck to last season’s tried and tested formula of 4-1-4-1 in the opening game.
Defence
Kiko Casilla should start in goal for the Whites. Hopefully, he wouldn’t provide many anxious moments by jumping off his line at every drop of a hat. Ben White showed his worth in the first game, and he should start at the back alongside club captain Liam Cooper. The left-back spot is likely to be occupied by Barry Douglas. Stuart Dallas is expected to fill the right-back role in the absence of Ayling.
Midfield
Kalvin Phillips is going to start in the deepest role in midfield. Further forward, Adam Forshaw and Mateusz Klich should provide him with support in central areas. Down the right, Pablo Hernandez showed his class again as he dictated play and was behind most of the good moments which United created in the attacking third. He should start from the right flank, but he will often look to drift inside. Jack Harrison is expected to keep his place on the left.
Attack
Patrick Bamford opened his account in the last game, but he needs to pick his game up. New signing Eddie Nketiah is unlikely to be involved from the start as he must first get used to the Bielsa system.
