Leeds United U21s will be in action this evening as they take on Derby County U21s at York’s LNER Community Stadium. The Whites have rediscovered some Premier League 2 Division 2 form over the last couple of weeks and they’ll be looking to consolidate their place at the top of the table with a win over the Rams.
Paco Gallardo’s side currently lead the division on goal difference, but they’ll move three points clear of nearest rivals Nottingham Forest should they pick up the points against lowly Derby. The East Midlands outfit prop up the division after failing to win a league game all season and they have just one point to show for their efforts.
United will be heavy favourites in York, then, and we can expect to see Gallardo name a strong side as he takes charge of his second U21s contest, with Archie Gray ready to make his first appearance since September. Gray has struggled with injury this season, fracturing his toe in an accident at home before an ankle issue saw him ruled out for a sustained period.
However, he was included on the first-team bench by Javi Gracia last week at Fulham and he kept his spot in the squad for Saturday’s game against Chelsea. He didn’t feature in either game, but his surprise inclusion provides a clear indication of his fitness and tonight’s clash might provide the perfect platform for him to pick up some minutes.
Gray made four appearances for the U21s at the start of the season and he has the potential to have a big say on the rest of their season over the coming weeks and months. The 16-year-old could be included alongside Mateo Joseph in York.
Joseph picked up 22 minutes of match action at Stamford Bridge and will likely be involved in the senior picture once more this weekend, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him feature against the Rams in a bid to continue his fine form in front of goal. Joseph bagged four goals in Leeds’ 5-2 win in the reverse fixture at Pride Park and the sheer sight of him might be enough to send shivers down Derby defenders’ spines.
Sonny Perkins can expect to play, while Darko Gyabi should also be involved after his own first-team involvements. In goal it seems Gallardo has a difficult choice to make, with both Kristoffer Klaesson and Dani van den Heuvel available.
Van den Heuvel played well at Southampton last time out and probably deserves to keep his spot, but Klaesson is the senior man and he needs minutes, too. Kris Moore has been in superb form of late and he may well return to the right, with Diogo Monteiro and Jeremiah Mullen potentially set to feature together in the heart of the defensive line.
Connor Ferguson has made the left-back spot his own in recent weeks, while Morten Spencer and Charlie Allen have performed well lately, too.
Predicted Leeds United U21s team: Klaesson; Moore, Monteiro, Mullen, Ferguson; Gyabi, Spencer; Perkins, Gray, Allen; Joseph
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