Leeds United could have a while to wait before their next Premier League outing. The Whites have already seen Monday’s clash with Nottingham Forest postponed following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, but it seems next weekend’s contest against Manchester United is in doubt, too.
The game at Old Trafford is scheduled to be played on Sunday, September 18, but with the state funeral set to take place around that date it is thought there are policing and other issues to contend with. As such, the Whites’ next outing of any kind could come after the international break at home against Aston Villa on October 2.
However, with players returning to full fitness from injury, Leeds’ starting XI could look very different to one that took on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium next weekend.
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Illan Meslier will almost certainly be between the sticks, but the defensive line in front of him looks set to change drastically. Luke Ayling and Rasmus Kristensen can be expected to battle it out for the starting spot at right-back, with Cody Drameh getting the nod for the clash in west London last time out.
Kristensen missed that game with a slight knock and is expected to be ready for action after the international break, while Ayling certainly impressed during his 20-minute cameo against the Bees, showing no signs of rust after having knee surgery in May. It’s an intriguing battle and it may well come down to who shines brightest in training over the next few weeks.
Liam Cooper is ready to come into the backline after struggling with a troublesome Achilles injury over the first month of the campaign. The skipper will be expected to replace Diego Llorente in the line-up and partner Robin Koch, who has started the campaign in a strong vein of form.
Marsch has a decision to make on the left, too, as Junior Firpo edges closer to full fitness. Firpo is the only recognised left-back in the senior squad and he’ll be keen to step back into the action after overcoming the issue he picked up against Blackpool in pre-season.
However, Pascal Struijk has done a fine job on the left in Firpo’s absence and the head coach could be tempted to reward the Dutchman, who was included in Louis van Gaal’s provisional Netherlands squad earlier this month. Tyler Adams and Marc Roca have caught the eye in the middle of the park, while Brenden Aaronson looks to be the established option in the number 10 role.
Like Aaronson, Luis Snisterra and Jack Harrison look to be obvious choices on the flanks given the way they have performed so far this season, while Marsch may well find himself choosing between Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo and Joe Gelhardt for the lone striker role.
Bamford would be a comfortable first choice ordinarily, but Rodrigo’s goals over the first few weeks of the season ensure he has a rather large claim to lead the line, too, should he be considered fit after dislocating his shoulder last month.
Predicted Leeds team for October 2 against Aston Villa: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Struijk; Adams, Roca; Sinisterra, Aaronson, Harrison; Bamford.
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