Leeds United welcome West Ham to Elland Road on Friday night absolutely needing to get back to winning ways in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke will know that tomorrow’s clash with a struggling West Ham side on home turf ought to yield maximum points.
With two wins from the first eight and eight points in total, United need to kick into gear with points on the board to reflect the chances they’re getting.
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Leeds United v West Ham: Team news confirmed by Daniel Farke – Four doubts
Wide options are still short for Farke at Elland Road. Injuries to Willy Gnonto and Noah Okafor ruled them out at Turf Moor last time out, and they remain doubts for this game.
Farke confirmed that the pair face late fitness tests to be ready for Friday, as they continue to recover.
In the defence, Pascal Struijk and Ethan Ampadu have both been fighting illness this week, seeing them sit out of some team training. They too are doubts for Friday evening’s game.
Here, I look through my predicted XI for Leeds’ crucial home test with the Irons…
Goalkeeper: Lucas Perri
I’ve loved Karl Darlow’s deputy performances ever since he stepped in for Illan Meslier in April. He’s looked largely very assured, athletic in his shot-stopping, and he’s surprised us with how well he plays out from the back. That’s something Jamie Carragher noted on Monday Night Football.
That being said, he is still Leeds’ second choice ‘keeper, and it’s not a position where a player keeps their place on form alone, the hierarchy takes precedent.
Lucas Perri should start for Leeds United v West Ham, if he’s fit. (REUTERS/Scott Heppell)
Leeds spent £15.6million to have Lucas Perri starting whenever he’s fit, so he will start if he’s ready to.
Perri’s command of his box has been strong in his two home outings. And while he wasn’t tasked with a great deal of shot-stopping, hasn’t conceded at Elland Road yet.
Farke has to start Perri if he’s back to full fitness. As much as Darlow’s done nothing to be dropped, it sends a bad message if your first choice ‘keeper doesn’t come straight back in when he’s available.
Defence: Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson
The most notable decision in the side is probably what Farke does with Struijk. The Dutchman was more than deserving of his place in the side up until recently.
Two games against Spurs and Burnley have seen some cracks emerge. There was nothing absolutely catastrophic like some fans are desperate to make out. That said, there was enough to definitely question if he should remain starting.
It’s even more pertinent a debate with arguably Leeds’ best centre-back warming the bench without a Premier League minute so far, Jaka Bijol. Struijk’s fitness issue this week just lends more weight to the idea that we’re going to finally see Bijol start a league game.
Jaka Bijol has proven his quality with Slovenia, and should get his chance for Leeds United. (REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic)
Don’t be shocked if Bijol looks a little clunky playing out as the left-sided centre-back compared to Struijk, though.
As for the rest of the defence, it will of course remain unchanged. Jayden Bogle will be looking to silence Crysencio Summerville on his return to Elland Road (if he starts). Meanwhile, Gabriel Gudmundsson looks like Leeds’ most aggressive attacking force right now. Joe Rodon should be hungry to add to his goal tally against a West Ham side that cannot defend crosses if their lives depended on it.
Midfield: Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach, Ao Tanaka
Anton Stach didn’t cover himself in glory during the Burnley game, looking slack for both goals as runners breezed off him. Farke said that the German’s broken finger and recent rib injury haven’t helped his form.
That being said, I’ve kept him in purely on this basis: at his best, Stach is Leeds’ best player. Therefore, I’d find it very hard to drop him, even during this mini-slump.
Anton Stach needs to recapture his best form in a Leeds United shirt. (Action Images via Reuters/John Clifton)
Ampadu’s fitness problems may shift him into a more central, deeper-lying role as the sold ‘DM’. But it gets Ao Tanaka into the team too. And that is a boost even if our imperious captain is struggling for fitness.
Tanaka would help take on some of the buildup burden from Stach and Bijol too down Leeds’ left, supporting Gudmundsson well and providing a platform for the Swede to get forward as much as possible.
Leeds’ best midfield performance of these season came against Everton on matchday one. The best two on the pitch where Stach and Tanaka, feeding off each other’s play seamlessly.
Sean Longstaff obviously keeps his place to complete the three. The legs available to Farke in the middle hopefully helps us control the game against this Irons side that are struggling.
Attack: Dan James, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jack Harrison
Farke should be enthused to see Dan James has somehow miraculously recovered from ankle ligament issues. He’s only actually missed one game through that injury.
For me, these injuries out wide lend themselves perfectly to Leeds going for a back three and playing with two strikers. Although, Farke has never been one to divert.
Even me suggesting four changes in this predicted XI seems quite brash.
However, if we’re to assume it’ll be a 4-3-3 as usual, the other two positions will remain unchanged. Dominic Calvert-Lewin will surely be fancying a goal, while Jack Harrison needs to start producing again.
Luckily for Calvert-Lewin, the Hammers don’t look like they know which was is up when the ball is crossed into the box. That’s where he’s at his best. In Harrison and James, he’s got wingers that throw enough crosses into the box (results vary). All DCL needs is one or two into a golden position to land on his head.
Full Leeds United v West Ham predicted XI:
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