Leeds United make the journey to the Kassam Stadium to face Oxford United in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
Leeds United will be looking to continue their push for an automatic return to the Premier League by defeating Oxford United this weekend.
The Whites will be big favourites to claim another three points given their strong form and the Yellows’ slip down the Championship table. The hosts are managerless with seven defeats in the last nine games, leaving them 20th while the visitors sit 2nd, three points from leaders Sheffield United.
leeds united, Ampadu in: Leeds United team news and predicted XI to face Oxford United
Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.
Daniel Farke’s side were frustrated last weekend though, drawing with Preston North End at Deepdale. Nevertheless, they’ve lost one of the last seven games, winning five of those.
Leeds United will be determined to earn a top two spot this season after coming up short in the play-off final last time around.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Oxford United, Farke confirmed a couple of concerns for the Whites.
It seems the defence could be disrupted with Pascal Struijk’s availability up in the air. He’s 50/50 to make it on Saturday having sat out of Leeds United training for the last two days.
leeds united, Ampadu in: Leeds United team news and predicted XI to face Oxford United
Image courtesy of: JASON CAIRNDUFF/REUTERS.
There’s also a concern over Max Wober, who would’ve been Struijk’s like-for-like replacement. He has a ‘small chance’ of featuring as he contends with a knee issue.
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Ilia Gruev and Junior Firpo are still sidelined.
Predicted XI
(4-2-3-1)
Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Byram; Tanaka, Rothwell; James, Aaronson, Gnonto; Piroe.
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Owing to form and the availability of most players, the Leeds United side to face Oxford will be largely similar to the one that took a point against Preston North End.
However, with Struijk and Wober doubts, Ethan Ampadu may return to the starting XI in centre-back. He’s been patiently waiting for a chance with Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell locking down the midfield spots in his absence.
Firpo’s continued absence means Sam Byram will likely start again. Further up the pitch out wide, Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James look to be thee go-to wingers despite good depth there.
Joel Piroe will hope to start ahead of Mateo Joseph once again.
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