Inside Elland Road: Defensive solidity is vital for Leeds Utd
Daniel Farke has named his Leeds United starting line-up for this afternoon's Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been deemed fit enough for the Leeds United substitute’s bench at Nottingham Forest.
Leeds face Forest at the City Ground this afternoon knowing victory will open up a four-point gap on the relegation zone going into the November international break. Farke’s side cannot drop into the bottom three this weekend but will hope to pull away from their rivals for a more positive two-week hiatus.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Farke revealed Calvert-Lewin had not fully trained with his teammates all week. The 28-year-old picked up a small adductor strain at Brighton last weekend and faced a late fitness test, with no unnecessary risks to be taken on the injury-prone striker.
Calvert-Lewin has not been passed fit enough to start this afternoon but takes his place on the bench. Lukas Nmecha has come back into the starting line-up for the first time since scoring the winner against Everton in August.
Farke has opted not to change things out wide, with Brenden Aaronson earning an eighth consecutive start. The American has kept his place ahead of Dan James, who continues to build fitness after an ankle injury. Noah Okafor keeps his place on the left and can hopefully get closer to playing 90 minutes.
In midfield, Farke looks set to apply a more physical touch to today’s proceedings with Anton Stach replacing Ao Tanaka. Neither have been able to nail down a starting place in recent weeks but after overcoming a rib issue, German international Stach will hope to return to his impressive early-season form alongside Sean Longstaff and club captain Ethan Ampadu.
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While there are changes further forward, Farke appears keen for continuity in defence with no alterations across the back-four and goalkeeper. Lucas Perri made a handful of good saves last week, albeit with the contest virtually over, and will need to be at his best again today.
Jaka Bijol partners Joe Rodon for the third straight game as the physical pair continue to build a relationship. Rodon in particular will have an eye on Forest’s set-piece frailties as he looks to build on a tally of two goals already this season. Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson keep their places on the right and left respectively, having both struggled a little at Brighton.
Willy Gnonto is still not in the matchday squad, having missed nearly two months of action due to a combination of calf issues and hernia surgery. Sebastiaan Bornauw has not made the squad after picking up a knock in training this week.
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