Leeds United line-ups vs Brighton as Bamford and…

Leeds United line-ups vs Brighton as Bamford and Cooper challenge Chelsea heroes

Beren Cross

There are times when variety is the spice of life, when it is fun to change things up in a football team and then there are times when you acknowledge the team’s just put on its best performances in years. Leeds United delivered a virtually complete display in battering Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday and there is little cause for making changes.

Liam Cooper’s return to contention will boost the bench even further, but his influence and leadership is not enough to dislodge Robin Koch or Diego Llorente, after their roles in Sunday’s win. Patrick Bamford’s not been ruled out by Jesse Marsch either, but it’s too big a risk for me, especially when Rodrigo is playing the way he is.

Rasmus Kristensen had arguably had the toughest time in the opening weeks of the campaign among the regulars, but recovered to the extent where he needs to continue in the side too. Looking at how strong the bench may be in East Sussex is a more useful task.

Adam Forshaw, Cooper, Bamford, Luis Sinisterra, Joe Gelhardt, Cody Drameh, Sam Greenwood and Mateusz Klich could all feasibly be sitting behind Marsch on Saturday. That means the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Leo Hjelde may even be left out of the squad altogether.

Beren’s XI: Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Llorente, Struijk; Adams, Roca; James, Aaronson, Harrison; Rodrigo.

Will Jackson

Liam Cooper has returned to full fitness in time to give Jesse Marsch even more selection options this weekend. The defender played 45 minutes against Barnsley on Wednesday night and he is expected to travel to the south coast this weekend, but, personally, I’d be keeping the skipper on the bench for the time being.

Robin Koch and Diego Llorente were excellent against Chelsea last Sunday and I wouldn’t be breaking that partnership at the minute. In fact, I wouldn’t change a thing about the team that started that memorable afternoon against the Blues.

Dan James and Jack Harrison have done more than enough to keep their spots in the side over Luis Sinisterra, who took his chance to apply some pressure on Wednesday night with his performance against Barnsley, while Mateusz Klich may have to make do with a spot on the bench, too.

Rasmus Kristensen needs another strong performance at the Amex, though, you’d think. Luke Ayling is due to restart full training next week and I reckon he could start to breathe down Kristensen’s neck as they battle it out for the right-back spot.

Will’s XI: Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Llorente, Struijk; Adams, Roca; James, Aaronson, Harrison; Rodrigo.

Leeds United line-ups vs Brighton as Bamford and Cooper challenge Chelsea heroes

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