Leeds United make their way down to the AMEX Stadium on Saturday to face Brighton, looking for back-to-back wins after seeing off West Ham.
United are six clear of the drop zone after their first nine games, and Daniel Farke will be pleased with this start. Although, there’s scope for Leeds to have improved on that tally with late goals conceded previously.
We’ve, ideally, had a pretty lengthy rest ahead of this weekend’s visit to Brighton, and it leaves positive selection dilemmas for Farke to make.
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Brighton v Leeds United: Team news confirmed, no injuries at all
It’s not often we get to say this about Leeds injury news, but there are no injuries at all in Farke’s squad to report.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Farke confirmed that Willy Gnonto is set to return this week after hernia surgery. As for Gabriel Gudmundsson, the knock to his back during the West Ham game was only a bruise, and therefore a non-issue this week.
Dan James is looking “sharp” after another week of training under his belt, and there are no fresh concerns from Thorp Arch.
Here, I predict the starting lineup I’m expecting Farke to name against the Seagulls this weekend…
Goalkeeper: Lucas Perri
Lucas Perri stepped in against West Ham, and was one cross being stopped away from a third home clean sheet in as many games.
Leeds United goalkeeper Lucas Perri has enjoyed a solid start since signing from Lyon. (REUTERS/Chris Radburn)
He wasn’t incredible against the Irons, but proved why he’s seen as first choice. He dealt with West Ham’s rare threats well, including fast reactions to clear a loose ball after Jarrod Bowen’s overhead kick proved too hot to handle.
Karl Darlow of course will feel disheartened that he’s not retained his spot, but Perri is top of the pecking order for a reason.
Defence: Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson
If Brighton get their way in buildup, these four are going to be in for a long afternoon. Getting the better of the Seagulls under Fabian Hurzeler largely hinges on how you press from the front as much as it is defending your own box.
That said, Leeds’ centre-back pairing of Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol has every chance of settling into the preferred pick. Pascal Struijk, like Darlow, will feel hard done by to lose his spot. That said, with momentum, Bijol could very quickly prove why he’s our best centre-back – in my opinion.
Jaka Bijol was a tad rusty on his Leeds United debut, but will get better. (Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)
I appreciate that’s a bold claim, given Rodon is a man possessed right now.
At full-back, James Justin proved he’s more than good enough to step in when needed. But, there’s no displacing Gabriel Gudmundsson or Jayden Bogle. The latter appeared to be taken for a doping test post-West Ham, and it’s no shock given how good he’s been.
With Leeds’ front three, Bogle’s deep crosses towards that ‘corridor of uncertainty’ are so dangerous. His cross from wide led to the opener last week.
Midfield: Sean Longstaff, Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka
Anyone who watched Brighton’s 4-2 loss at Old Trafford on Saturday may have picked up on the same flaw I did.
Whenever Brighton tried playing through the lines to Georginio Rutter in their own half, Luke Shaw was there to snuff out the former Leeds man and turn possession over to spring transitions. Two of their goals came from Shaw forcing Rutter into giveaways.
Farke will know all about Rutter’s strengths and this weakness. So, it might be worth tasking one of this midfield to essentially follow the Frenchman and stop him turning. Ethan Ampadu could be that player.
Leeds United hoping for joy away from home at Brighton this weekend. (REUTERS/Chris Radburn)
It’s a collective effort, though. Sean Longstaff and Ao Tanaka need to cut off Brighton’s lanes for passing through to their dynamic attackers. Fail to do so and you’re watching the defence get overloaded every five minutes.
Going the other way, Leeds have shown they have the running power to swamp teams in transition. These three have what it takes to get at the home side.
There’s scope to bring in Anton Stach for more legs in place of Tanaka. But, do we ever see Farke change a winning team?
Attack: Brenden Aaronson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor
I ummed and ahhed about who should start on the right wing this week. Brenden Aaronson gets the nod because it would be so harsh to drop him after his best ever performance in a Leeds shirt.
We’ve been wanting more from him from a creative perspective, plus contributing with goals. Ultimately, even if West Ham were properly terrible, he showed up and grabbed that game by the neck.
Brenden Aaronson is now looking for consistency in a Leeds United shirt after dancing through West Ham. (REUTERS/Chris Radburn)
Dan James and Willy Gnonto being back in contention means they need to be phased back in. There should be a view to one starting next week at Nottingham Forest. For now, Aaronson keeps his place on merit.
Elsewhere, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin remain Leeds’ two most important players when it comes to converting performances into results.
The difference that Okafor makes is staggering, and Calvert-Lewin again impresses me even with just one goal to his name.
You take one or both of these players out of Leeds’ lineup, and you will notice how much worse we look all of a sudden.
Full Leeds United predicted XI v Brighton: