Leeds United are due to host Bolton Wanderers at the Elland Road on Friday in their next Championship fixtures. The hope for promotion to the Premier League is pretty much out of the equation for the Whites and they would be aiming to ensure that they finish the season on a strong note.
Team News
Laurens De Bock is still sidelined along with Kemar Roofe owing to their injury. However, Samuel Saiz is back in training and should be in contention to start.
Here is how we expect Paul Heckingbottom to roll out his starting line-up against Phil Parkinson’s entourage.
Goalkeeper
Andy Lonergan has trained this week and he is expected to get the green light to start from Heckingbottom this weekend. Although Bailey Peacock-Farrell has done a decent job between the sticks of late, Lonergan’s experience might opt in the business end of the season.
Defence
Liam Cooper is back in training and he is expected to be stationed at the heart of the defence of the Peacocks alongside Pontus Jansson. Jansson captained Sweden in their 1-0 win over Romania during the international break and he would be craving to make his presence felt against the Wanderers.
Gaetano Berardi is seemingly like to operate from the right-back slot once again. Berardi has been one of the best players this season for Leeds United and deserves to start in the upcoming fixture. Meanwhile, Tom Pearce is expected to be chalked at the left-back position, although he really needs to enhance the quality of his performances to feature regularly in the starting line-up.
Midfield
Adam Forshaw has been exceptional after his move from Middlesbrough in the January transfer window. He has been the engine room for his club’s endeavours of late and he would be keen to dictate the tempo of the game and gallop forward at times to test the goalkeeper of the opposition.
Alongside Forshaw, Eunan O’Kane is anticipated to be rolled out by Heckingbottom. Both the central midfielders need to work efficiently to ensure that the Yorkshire based outfit can get back to winning ways. Meanwhile, Samuel Saiz is likely to operate as the central attacking midfielder to showcase his attacking and creative prowess.
Attack
Up front, we expect Caleb Ekuban to be given the chance to thrive. Leeds United’s strikers have flattered to deceive this season and they must up the ante by hook or by crook. While Stuart Dallas is likely to start from the left-wing, Ezgjan Alioski is seemingly likely to operate from the right-wing.
