Leeds United got out of jail on Saturday with regards to their unbeaten record as Jack Harrison managed a late equaliser against Millwall at the Den. Next, they would take on Preston North End at Elland Road who have already beaten them in the Carabao Cup tie earlier. Though, one shouldn’t read much in that game as United rested quite a few first team players.
However, they will again be without quite a few first-choice options, this time because of injuries. But one would still expect United to come up with a positive result as Alex Neil’s side are languishing at second from the bottom and have won just once in the league so far.
Bielsa’s men have opened up a slender one-point lead at the top of the table, and it is imperative that they keep on doing the excellent work as other teams are breathing down their neck.
Team News
Gaetano Berardi, Kemar Roofe, Patrick Bamford, Jamie Shackleton and Pablo Hernandez all are set to miss out due to various injuries. Amongst them, Bamford is out for the lengthiest period as he is expected to be back in action after four months.
Leeds United’s Lineup Vs Preston North End
Formation (4-1-4-1)
Defence
Bailey Peacock Farrell should be feeling confident after he made his debut for his national side Northern Ireland recently. He should start in goal. With Berardi injured, Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper would be the centre-back pairing. Jansson looked a bit shaky with the ball on his feet, but otherwise, he did a fine job in the last game. Down the left, Barry Douglas will start. Out on the right, Luke Ayling would be Bielsa’s go-to man.
Midfield
Kalvin Phillips often dropped deep in between the two centre-halves to get on the ball as the full-backs pushed forward. It often looked like the Whites were playing with a back three in the last game and Phillips was in the heart of the defence. His ability to read the game and distribution qualities have made him one of the most important players in Bielsa’s setup, and he would start just in front of the back four.
Mateusz Klich and Samuel Saiz would play in the central midfield role. Saiz was relentless in the last game as he kept driving forward at every opportunity. Out on the left, we expect a change to be made as Ezgjan Alioski has been well below par in the last few games and to replace him, Bielsa should bring in Stuart Dallas who is coming back from an injury, and he made a late appearance from the bench last time around. Jack Harrison might have scored the all-important goal against Millwall, but he also needs to pick his game up.
Forward
Tyler Roberts showed glimpses of what he can do but the 19-year-old needs to take his chances better and add that finishing touch to his game. A goal in this game would do a world of good to his confidence.
