Leeds United return from the international break with an away trip to Fulham, where Daniel Farke’s side will look to build on a promising start to their Premier League return. The Whites have picked up four points from their opening three games, keeping two clean sheets in the process, and will be hoping for a first away victory of the campaign. Here is our Leeds United predicted lineup vs Fulham.
Leeds United Predicted Lineup for Away Trip to Fulham
How Leeds Have Lined Up Recently
Summer signing Lucas Perri has started all of Leeds’ first three games, and looked particularly confident and composed in their 0-0 draw with Newcastle United last time out. However, the Brazilian has unfortunately been ruled out of the Fulham game, leaving Farke forced to choose between Karl Darlow or the much-maligned Illan Meslier in goal for the trip to Craven Cottage.
In the centre of defence, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk have been Farke’s preferred combination, keeping new signing Jaka Bijol out of the team. At full back, Jayden Bogle continues to impress alongside Swedish international Gabriel Gudmundsson, who has so far been preferred to James Justin.
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In midfield, Farke was forced to make changes against Newcastle, opting for Geordie Sean Longstaff and Bulgarian Ilia Gruev alongside Anton Stach, with Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka both injured. Longstaff put in a highly impressive performance, pulling no punches against his former teammates and potentially leaving Leeds with a tough call to make once everyone is back to full fitness.
In attack, Lukas Nmecha was preferred to Joel Piroe, who had started the first two games, and the German was highly effective, occupying Newcastle’s three centre halves and holding up the ball well. Daniel James and Willy Gnonto have started out wide in every game this season, with £18 million signing Noah Okafor yet to make a start due to injury.
Leeds Recent Form and Tactics
Whilst Farke’s side have showcased their ability to defend well and prevent teams from creating many chances, they have noticeably struggled to be effective at the other end of the pitch. The Whites have scored just one goal in their first three games, a Nmecha penalty on opening day, and have found big chances hard to come by. They have registered just 18 shots in 270 minutes, the second-worst record in the league.
This lack of cutting edge in front of goal caused many fans to clamour for a deadline day move for an attacker, but one never materialised, with a late bid for Fulham’s Harry Wilson falling through at the last minute. A lot of pressure will therefore be heaped on striker Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, both of whom were picked up on free transfers and have questionable injury records.
Leeds United Absences to Consider
In his press conference, Farke said that both Ampadu and Tanaka are back in team training ahead of the Fulham game, and will face a late fitness test to judge whether they are ready to be involved.
Leeds will be without goalkeeper Perri, who will miss the next two matches, leaving Darlow likely to start between the sticks.
Forwards Nmecha and Piroe have also picked up knocks over the last few days, and both will require a late fitness test to determine if they can play.
Leeds United Predicted Lineup Vs Newcastle
GK: Karl Darlow
RB: Jayden Bogle
CB: Joe Rodon
CB: Pascal Struijk
LB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
CM: Ethan Ampadu
CM: Sean Longstaff
CM: Anton Stach
RW: Daniel James
LW: Willy Gnonto
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin