Beren Cross
Changes can be hard to find when Leeds United have turned over the Champions League runners-up five days earlier. Luis Sinisterra’s injury does make it a slightly more straightforward selection for the visit of Bournemouth.
The Colombian’s return would have asked a big question of Jesse Marsch on his flanks, where Crysencio Summerville’s confidence has never been higher and Jack Harrison is struggling to hurt defences. Ultimately, it’s Wilfried Gnonto who’s left providing the biggest threat to Harrison.
If the 18-year-old had two or three more weeks on the pitch under his belt, he would have been my selection down the left. However, after just 19 minutes, it seems a stretch to put him in from the start at Elland Road for a full debut.
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Harrison’s in a tough spot, but he has enough credit and experience in the bank to warrant a start against the Cherries. Gnonto would be swiftly introduced from the bench as an impact sub, for me.
Joe Gelhardt is the other temptation, mainly because of the ongoing frustrations with Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo. There are some reservations after the experiment at Brentford didn’t work, while the Spain international did decently in the first half at Liverpool.
If Rodrigo can feed off Brenden Aaronson as he did at Anfield there is the possibility of really hurting the Cherries. Mobility and movement is going to be important in pulling apart the away defence if it drops as deep as we expect.
Beren’s XI: Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Cooper, Struijk; Adams, Roca; Summerville, Aaronson, Harrison; Rodrigo.
Will Jackson
The importance of this week’s game cannot be underestimated. The win at Liverpool was fantastic for a number of reasons, but it would mean very little if Leeds couldn’t build on it on Saturday against Bournemouth.
With Luis Sinisterra expected to be ruled out for the next few weeks, Summerville deserves his shot once more. The youngster was the hero last time out with his last-minute winner against the Reds and he needs rewarding for that with a second successive Premier League start.
Jack Harrison gets my nod on the other wing, but I must say that wouldn’t have been the case had Sinisterra been fit to play. The winger was some way short of his best against Liverpool last weekend and after starting the season so well, he looks short of form and confidence at this stage.
He’ll be keen to make more of an impact this weekend, though, and help his side up the Premier League table by producing the goods. Rodrigo must start up front in my opinion, too, over Patrick Bamford.
The Spain international has been up and down, but he has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and that could be key against the Cherries. Bamford’s lack of form is starting to become a concern now, for me.
Will’s XI: Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Cooper, Struijk; Adams, Roca; Summerville, Aaronson, Harrison; Rodrigo.
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