Leeds United have suffered two back to back losses in the Championship, but they have continued their supremacy on the top of the table. Next, they take on Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in the third round of the FA Cup, and it would be interesting to see Bielsa’s approach in this cup game.
We believe the Whites would be better off preserving their best players for the Championship games but losing three in a row would definitely not be good for the morale of the team, so the manager has a tricky fixture this weekend.
Team News
Gaetano Berardi, Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, Jamal Blackman and Patrick Bamford are unlikely to take any part in this game due to injury. Bielsa has been unable to rotate the players in the Championship games due to significant injuries to some of their players, so we expect some of the big guns to be rested for this encounter.
Leeds United predicted lineup Vs QPR
Formation (4-1-4-1)
Defence
William Huffer made his debut against Bristol City in the Championship, and he can get a start in goal for this game in the FA Cup. Aapo Halme is likely to come in this game as well, and he might have a chance to impress Bielsa as the other centre back spot is there for the taking as Kalvin Phillips is going to be suspended. So an impressive outing for the Finnish defender might earn him a place later on in the next game in the Championship. Pontus Jansson should partner him as the manager might want at least one experienced defender at the back.
Leif Davis is likely to get a go-ahead to start in the left-back role. Robbie Gotts can begin in the right back position.
Midfield
Lewis Baker has gone off the boil for quite some time now and even with many injuries; he hasn’t played a major part in the last few months. He can get his chance to impress in this game in midfield. In a slightly more advanced role, Jamie Shackleton might start. Adam Forshaw had a horror game against Nottingham Forest, and he would like to get things right in this tie. He should partner Shackleton in midfield.
In the wide region, Jack Clarke should start from the left. Jack Harrison is likely to start from the right. The likes of Pablo Hernandez, Ezgjan Alioski and Mateusz Klich deserve some breather.
Attack
Tyler Roberts impressed in his time when Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford were out with injury, and he should get a chance to lead the line in this game.
