Four matches have passed without defeat for Leeds United and fresh from a 3-0 victory, Jesse Marsch must surely feel some reticence in changing anything in his side. There is one change the head coach has committed to, but the rest of his side seems to be in good nick.
Kalvin Phillips, as Marsch revealed in Friday’s press conference, will make his first start in more than four months as he returns to the line-up at Crystal Palace on Monday night. Adam Forshaw’s fractured kneecap rules him out of partnering the England international.
Mateusz Klich is the natural option to remain in there, though we know Robin Koch has never been short of praise from Marsch through his press conferences. Given Koch was on the bench before Forshaw’s calf issue at Watford, you would have to suspect that underlines where he sits in Marsch’s pecking order.
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The Germany international could of course be in contention for a starting berth in central defence, where he feels most at home. Although, Marsch again praised the defence for ther collective performance in keeping their clean sheet at Vicarage Road.
Illan Meslier’s knock was not mentioned by Marsch, so we can assume he will continue. Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas look nailed on to continue. Junior Firpo should be in the squad, but a long way short of the sharpness needed to start.
The other dilemma Marsch may have is in the frontline, where Daniel James drew another blank last time out, but did play his part in the opening goal for Raphinha. Joe Gelhardt did not play a part in any of the under-23 matches since the Watford win and must be short of the rhythm Marsch needs in a starting striker.
Raphinha, Rodrigo and Jack Harrison’s recent goals make them virtually guaranteed of starts in the line-up.
Predicted line-up: Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Cooper, Dallas; Phillips, Klich; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison; James.
