Leeds United will step up their preparations for the Premier League restart this week as they take on Real Sociedad in a friendly at Elland Road. The Spanish outfit travel to West Yorkshire on Friday and Jesse Marsch will be hopeful that they can provide a stern test for his side.
The Whites return to Elland Road next Wednesday for another friendly, this time against AS Monaco, who travel with just a week remaining until Leeds get their season up and running once more against Manchester City. As such, Marsch will be keen to see plenty of progress made in the two games before Christmas.
Here’s a look at some of the things he’ll be hoping to see against Sociedad and Monaco.
Read more: Leeds United friendlies provide stage to send Jesse Marsch clear message
Chances taken
Leeds will be without a handful of key men this week due to minor injuries and that means a host of fringe players will be given a chance to excel in the line-up. Leo Hjelde, Joel Robles, Cody Drameh, Sonny Perkins and Darko Gyabi were among those to get game time last week in Elche and they should all be given more time on the field of play before the league restarts.
All of the above names are on the edge of the first-team picture, but they have ambitions of progressing to nail down a regular spot in the squad over the coming months and putting pressure on those ahead of them in the pecking order. Meanwhile, the likes of Sam Greenwood, Joe Gelhardt and Willy Gnonto will also be given chances to show what they can do.
They’ve struggled to pick up regular minutes so far, but the head coach will hope to be given some food for thought as the New Year approaches.
Sharpness
Leeds picked up the result in Spain last week, but they produced a performance that was someway short of their best. Yes, it was their first outing in almost a month, but it was a tough watch at times as passes went astray, mistakes were made and key men failed to have a lasting say on the contest.
As such, Marsch will demand stronger and more intense displays against Sociedad and Monaco, who are both competing in the Europa League and at the top end of their respective divisions. He’ll be looking to the likes of Rodrigo, Marc Roca, Liam Cooper and Jack Harrison to set a high tempo during both games and push their teammates in order to get the most out of both games.
Leeds were always going to be a little rusty against Elche after a break, but with the action returning in two weeks, they need to show a degree of readiness.
Defensive fortitude
Leeds’ backline isn’t expected to be at full strength against Sociedad, with Robin Koch carrying a small injury, while Rasmus Kristensen may be spared following his contributions for Denmark in Qatar. However, Marsch will still expect to see his side produce a safe and resolute showing at the back.
The Whites shipped seven goals in their final two games before the lay-off, with some calamitous defending on show in games against Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur. United came away from both games knowing they needed to improve defensively and Marsch will be keen to see his hard work over the break start to pay off at Elland Road.
Midfield options
Tyler Adams is suspended for Leeds’ next competitive fixture following his red card at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and he leaves a big hole to fill in the middle of the park. The fit-again Adam Forshaw is set to play a big role in both games coming up and Marsch will be looking at him as a potential starter when Man City roll into town on December 28.
However, Greenwood and Gyabi will get chances, too, and it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see Marsch alter his system and experiment with a three-man midfield or even five at the back as he looks to devise a plan for Pep Guardiola’s side.
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