Sunday’s hosting of Brighton & Hove Albion looks to be the biggest game at Elland Road since the League One promotion day against Bristol Rovers in 2010. Leeds United are in the relegation zone after three consecutive defeats, sitting level on points with Burnley and a point behind Everton - both of whom have a game in hand.
A priceless win can change the picture entirely. With Burnley travelling to the in-form Tottenham beforehand, the Whites can pull three points clear and provide an immeasurable boost of morale to the Elland Road faithful. Should Leeds lose and results go against them, however, and Jesse Marsch’s side will be all but down thanks to a vastly inferior goal difference.
It puts American manager Marsch and his players under immense pressure, a pressure that two red cards in two games suggests may be too much to handle. And it makes the Whites coach’s selection all the more important.
READ MORE: Predicted Leeds United line-up vs Brighton as Jesse Marsch weighs up all-out-attack in finale
Dan James and Luke Ayling are suspended, while Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw, Tyler Roberts and Crysencio Summerville are unavailable through injury - reducing the pool of talent from which Marsch has to pick from drastically.
The Leeds boss has some key decisions to make for this afternoon, not least whether he should stick with a back three or return to his preferred 4-2-2-2 formation. Marsch needs to decide whether to play a centre-back at right-back again or opt for the versatile Jamie Shackleton, and he also has decisions to make in midfield and upfront.
Here are three key selection dilemmas for Marsch ahead of Leeds’ hosting of Brighton.
Formation decisions
Before even looking at personnel, Marsch must decide whether to stick with the back three used recently or to revert back to the 4-2-2-2 formation that he prefers. The Leeds manager has called for more stability to his side’s defence, to which a back three is the kind of quick-fix needed when there are only two games left.
But the same games that have provided that stability have lacked any attacking threat whatsoever. Leeds scored one goal - a set piece - in the three games in which they have deployed a defensive trio and have often found the likes of James or Rodrigo isolated.
The decision to change to a three was no doubt based on the abundance of quality centre-backs over any other position, especially after Liam Cooper’s return meant all four senior defenders were fit, as well as Charlie Cresswell.
At home, against mid-table opposition and with the chance to open up a gap, Marsch is likely to go back to a 4-2-2-2 and push Raphinha back to where he operates at his best.
Selecting a right-back
Ayling’s red card at the Emirates could not have been timed worse. The club’s only natural right-back banned for the rest of the season with Dallas - Leeds’ backup for virtually every position - also out for the season.
The conundrum for Marsch was whether to bring in Shackleton or move a centre-back out wide - both have their strengths. Shackleton has performed well at right-back before and provides a relentless energy similar to Ayling or Dallas, but moving a centre-back out wide adds to the stability element Marsch has valued in recent weeks and helps with set pieces.
It again becomes a question of what the Leeds manager wants to get out of this game and how he plans to go about it. He decided to use Koch on Wednesday, presumably as they were playing a superior opponent in Chelsea who focus most of their play through their wing-backs.
But Leeds need to control the game this afternoon and need a full-back who is going to contribute going forward - as long as it’s not Raphinha, either will do.
Leading the line
Joe Gelhardt may have considered himself unfortunate to have been dropped for the Chelsea game. He spent much of the 90 minutes at the Emirates isolated and starved for service as 10-man Leeds hunkered down.
That feeling will only have intensified watching Rodrigo consistently muscled out of possession as the Spaniard dwindled on the ball and failed to relieve Chelsea pressure. 20-year-old Gelhardt has proven a capable presence already this season, using his low centre of gravity and stocky build to bully defenders way beyond his years.
Marsch can relieve the pressure on picking a number nine by making a decision earlier on and playing a back four. This would allow an extra man going forward, with a 4-2-2-2 giving him the chance to have Gelhardt leading the line and Rodrigo dropping into the spaces.
And the 31-year-old has proven under Marsch how effective he can be in those positions, providing a composure that has been lacking in recent weeks.
Regardless of each individual decision, Marsch must ensure his players keep their discipline and avoid a repeat fo the previous two games. If they can start strongly and harness the Elland Road atmosphere, then there's every chance they can peg Brighton back and find a much-needed win.
