Dispensing with top-four opposition should see Leeds United return to the 4-2-3-1 Jesse Marsch preferred when the Whites were looking to take more risks. Right-back stands out as the most difficult role to fill in that shape for the head coach.
The recent comments by Marsch about Jamie Shackleton’s limited game time, coupled with Robin Koch’s move to the right flank after the two red cards may mean the Germany international gets the nod. Koch found himself in quite advanced positions on Wednesday night from that position.
Pascal Struijk may prove to be the sacrificial lamb in this system if Marsch prefers Diego Llorente’s experience and right foot in a central partnership with captain Liam Cooper. There may be some traction in Struijk as the left-back in a four, but if Junior Firpo can do anything from that slot it’s bomb forward and be the furthest man upfield when Leeds are looking for goals.
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Lewis Bate impressed from the bench at Arsenal, but seemed to be swallowed up by the occasion of Wednesday night inside the Elland Road cauldron. Mateusz Klich is out of form, but looks like the safe pair of hands the head coach cannot ignore.
Rodrigo flattered to deceive under the lights on Wednesday, but what alternative does Marsch have in the attacking central midfielder slot? Starting Sam Greenwood with the club’s record signing on the bench seems like a stretch.
Joe Gelhardt looks set to start in attack with few alternatives and Patrick Bamford rapidly running out of time to have an impact on this campaign. Jack Harrison is surely set to play down the left if his recovery continues as planned.
Predicted line-up: Meslier; Koch, Llorente, Cooper, Firpo; Phillips, Klich; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison; Gelhardt.
