After registering a comprehensive 3-0 win over Preston North End at the Elland Road last weekend, Garry Monk is due to take his side to St. James’ Park this Saturday in what promises to be a cracker of a match.
While Rafael Benitez’s men are having a firm grasp on an automatic qualification spot, the Peacocks would be aiming to have a strong finish so that they could enter into the playoffs with a riveting confidence.
Here is how the former Swansea City boss might roll out the starting line-up against the Magpies.
Defence
No surprise is expected as far as the goalkeeping role is concerned, as the veteran shot-stopper in the shape of Robert Green is likely to be stationed under the bar when the Whites turn up against the Toons.
The 37-year-old has gathered 15 clean sheets in 41 Championship appearances so far and has shown that he still has what it takes to ply his trade week in and week out.
Pontus Jansson and Kyle Bartley should be finding themselves in Monk’s tactical nous to cover the central defensive region.
The pair has worked meticulously together and the continuation of the same would be called for when the face the likes of Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
In the left-back, Charlie Taylor is likely to be pencilled ahead of Gaetano Berardi, whereas, in the right-back slot, we expect Luke Ayling to start the proceedings.
Midfield
The responsibilities of shielding the backline as well as to create an impetus for the offensive endeavours for the Whites could be shouldered upon the central midfield pairing of Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips.
The duo would have to ensure that someone like Jonjo Shelvey fails to steer his passes past them and that a sense of calmness and assurance is cultivated throughout the game by them.
Pablo Hernandez, who has 6 goals and 8 assist to his name, should be engineered into the no. 10 position once again.
The knack of the 32-year-old to have a shy at the goal from a handsome distance and an eye for killer passes would really be heavily relied on against the Geordies.
Attack
With 24 goals to his name already in the Championship, there is little to no doubt existing upon Chris Wood getting yet another start right up front.
On the left wing, January transfer window signing Alfonso Pedraza should be accumulating yet another game under game under his belt, whereas on the other side, Kemar Roofe’s ability to create yards of space and ability to blast past defenders could come in handy for Monk’s outfit.
Leeds United Predicted Line-Up:
Green
Ayling- Bartley- Jansson- Taylor
Vieira- Phillips
Roofe- Hernandez- Pedraza
Wood
Statistics Credits: Squawka.com and WhoScored.com
