Leeds United will travel to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United who led the table for a brief period this season. Both the teams are coming on the back of a crucial win, and this would undoubtedly be a major litmus test for the injury-hit Bielsa team. Just two points separate the two sides and a positive result for the Whites would open up a bit of a gap between them and all their major rivals as the top seven is currently very tight.
Team News
Luke Ayling, Gaetano Berardi and Patrick Bamford are out for an extended period due to various injuries. Jamal Blackman returned to Chelsea after he broke his foot while playing for the u-23 team. Bailey Peacock Farrell started the last game after missing out the tie against Bristol City.
Pontus Jansson continues to be a doubt for this game, and Tom Pearce should also be unavailable. Izzy Brown is back playing for the u-23, but he still needs to do more work to get into the matchday squad.
Leeds United Predicted Lineup Vs Sheffield United
Formation (4-1-4-1)
Defence
With no real competition, Bailey Peacock Farrell will carry on as the no.1 in goal after Blackman’s injury. A busy afternoon could be on the cards for the young stopper who should be high on confidence after he saved a crucial penalty against Reading. Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips formed the centre-back back pairing in the last game, and we believe Bielsa is likely to go again with the same duo.
Down the left, the ever-threatening and defensively solid Barry Douglas should start. Stuart Dallas will continue as the makeshift right back in the absence of other first team options.
Midfield
Adam Forshaw should start in the ‘Kalvin Phillips’ role just ahead of the defensive four. His job would be to keep things tight and moving. Further forward Mateusz Klich is a guaranteed starter in central midfield. Samuel Saiz has done well coming off from the bench, and we believe he should be given a go ahead in this crucial tie after Lewis Baker struggled to get going in the last game. Spanish winger Pablo Hernandez is a nailed on starter down the right. Ezgjan Alioski needs to step up his game, but with no real alternative, the Macedonian is set to start from the left flank.
Attack
Kemar Roofe is yet to hit top gear since his comeback from injury but remains a crucial man up front. He is expected to start once again.
