Beren Cross
While Patrick Bamford’s absence is a blow, the rest of the Leeds United squad seems to finally be bearing options for head coach Jesse Marsch. While the last time out saw a dramatic victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers, it began with a dire opening 45 minutes and ended with a home implosion which opened the floodgates for United’s comeback.
Those events do make it more tempting to opt for the talents which did not start at Molineux. While Marsch would be forgiven for being cautious with Kalvin Phillips, it’s harder for me to resist the England international.
While Adam Forshaw and Mateusz Klich have not put too many feet wrong of late, the burst of impetus and quality from Phillips is a welcome addition to the middle of the park. Diego Llorente has been nursing that back issue for several weeks and his less than convincing role in the first half a fortnight ago opens the door to Robin Koch in my side.
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Liam Cooper is a temptation, but as Marsch said on Thursday, starting him and Phillips would be asking for substitution problems. Raphinha, of course, returns for obvious reasons with Jack Harrison making way.
Joe Gelhardt gets the start he persistently proves he deserves when he gets onto the field. Rodrigo is backed to pick the passes from a deeper role, joining Gelhardt at the head of the press when the formation shifts without the ball.
Beren’s XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Struijk, Dallas; Forshaw, Phillips; Raphinha, Rodrigo, James; Gelhardt.
Joe Donnohue
Despite what felt like myriad injury concerns at Molineux two weeks ago, Jesse Marsch has a relatively strong selection to pick from tomorrow afternoon. Leeds United will once again be able to count on Diego Llorente, Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha and Liam Cooper, as per Marsch's comments in Thursday's pre-match press conference and a club statement issued four days earlier.
The head coach admitted it would be unlikely for both Cooper and Phillips to start against Southampton, but conceded it was probable one of them would, with the possibility of the other being introduced from the bench. It may not be the popular choice, but if it's between the two, I'd select Cooper to slot straight back into the starting XI ahead of Phillips.
The Scottish international averages 3.8 aerial wins per 90 this season, and will be up against Saints' on-loan attacker Armando Broja who stands at 6ft 3in tall. While possessing the requisite height and leap, Pascal Struijk and Diego Llorente do not quite match up to the aerial numbers Cooper has posted this season, or the second-best in that department, Robin Koch (2.3 aerial wins p90).
There is no guarantee Illan Meslier will be fit on Saturday, but if he is available, the decision to select him or not should be relatively straightforward. Kristoffer Klaesson performed well off the bench at Molineux, but Meslier has been a consistent presence for the past two seasons.
Only in the event of his absence should Klaesson start. Luke Ayling at right-back and Stuart Dallas at left-back feel a safe pair of hands given the circumstances and lack of options.
In midfield, Mateusz Klich has recovered from a concussion while Adam Forshaw can fulfil the defensive function usually carried out by Kalvin Phillips. Each of them has played in this new 4-2-2-2 system regularly since Marsch was appointed and there seems little reason to change a midfield which, on balance, has worked more often than not.
As the wide number 10s, Raphinha and Dan James offer width, flexibility and pressing intensity in the final third. They can support a centre-forward, while also working back when Southampton launch attacks.
Rodrigo as the supporting forward to fit-again Joe Gelhardt seems the natural pair in attack, with the Spaniard dropping between James and Raphinha on occasion.
Joe's XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas; Forshaw, Klich; Raphinha, James; Rodrigo, Gelhardt.
