Predicted Leeds United line-up vs Barnsley as Jesse…

Predicted Leeds United line-up vs Barnsley as Jesse Marsch set to ring changes

Jesse Marsch is expected to make changes to his Leeds United side on Wednesday as the Whites get their Carabao Cup campaign underway against Barnsley. The League One side will be determined to cause a major upset as they head to Elland Road and Marsch will be keen to strike the right balance when it comes to his selection.

Go too weak and he’ll increase the risk of an embarrassing cup defeat, but he’ll also be keen to utilise the depth of his squad and give minutes to those who have been short of them over the last few weeks. As such, he’ll be carefully planning out his team, with an eye to Leeds’ busy schedule ahead.

Kristoffer Klaesson looks a likely candidate to step into the side between the sticks, with the Cup game being an opportunity to give Illan Meslier a rest, while Cody Drameh will probably feature at right-back as he looks pick up his first competitive first-team minutes this season.

Drameh represented the Under-21s last week and will be itching for the chance to prove himself to Marsch, particularly after getting a large taste of senior football last time around with Cardiff City. One of Robin Koch or Diego Llorente could be asked to partner Leo Hjelde in the middle of defence, while Pascal Struijk is the only obvious candidate at left-back, while Junior Firpo is still on the sidelines.

Adam Forshaw is expected to wear the captain’s armband, as he did for the final few minutes of the clash against Chelsea on Sunday. Forshaw caught the eye in pre-season and would have had more of a role, no doubt, if not for the injury he picked up in the friendly against Crystal Palace in Perth.

Sam Greenwood will probably partner Forshaw in the middle of the park, with Mateusz Klich ready for his first start of the campaign in the number 10 role, slightly ahead of them. Fans will be itching to see Luis Sinisterra in action after a promising cameo on Sunday, too.

The winger has overcome the hamstring injury he picked up in pre-season and he’s currently being integrated into the side. He’ll be determined to catch the eye as he targets a spot in Marsch’s first-choice line-up.

Crysencio Summerville is also likely to feature, while Joe Gelhardt is in line to play in the number nine role against the Tykes. Joel Robles could be involved in a match day squad for the first time as Leeds’ new third choice custodian, while fans shouldn’t be surprised to see the likes of Darko Gyabi, Archie Gray, Sonny Perkins and Mateo Joseph named on the bench, either.

Predicted Leeds XI: Kristoffer Klaesson; Cody Drameh, Robin Koch, Leo Hjelde, Pascal Struijk; Sam Greenwood, Adam Forshaw; Crysencio Summerville, Mateusz Klich, Luis Sinisterra; Joe Gelhardt

Predicted Leeds United line-up vs Barnsley as Jesse Marsch set to ring changes

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