Leeds United are preparing for one of their hardest matches of the Premier League season on Saturday afternoon as Daniel Farke takes his beleaguered side to The Etihad to face Man City.
The pressure is massive on Daniel Farke, and with Leeds confirming that he will hold his press conference as normal on Thursday afternoon, any announcement regarding a possible sacking seems unlikely.
Prediction for Leeds v Man City:
At least, until the City game. Having suffered defeats to teams in and around his side like Burnley, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Brighton and then Aston Villa on Sunday, Farke will now need to mastermind a scalp.
City stand in Leeds’ way on Saturday with Farke in desperate need of points. There are some key decisions that Farke will need to make if he is to get fans onside before kick-off, like who starts on the right wing.
Anton Stach in action for Leeds United
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
The key decisions Daniel Farke has to make to his Leeds side
The first decision Farke has to make is in goal. Does Lucas Perri retain his spot after another shaky display against Aston Villa? Many blamed him for Villa’s winner, but Joe Hart explained why Perri was not at fault.
Pascal Struijk did well enough against Villa and he is likely to retain his spot over Jaka Bijol, but Farke will have to make a change in midfield. Anton Stach has suffered a head injury and will be missing at City.
Then, there is the debate that will either frustrate fans once more or finally see Farke appease supporters. Leeds fans were fuming that Farke started Brenden Aaronson on Sunday, and a decision is required.
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Dan James and Willy Gnonto both made substitute appearances on Sunday, and they will be available to face City on the weekend. Up top, there is also a debate, with Lukas Nmecha scoring once again.
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Daniel Farke likely to make two changes to his Leeds side at City
One enforced, one that finally sees Leeds fans appeased. Ao Tanaka was upset when Farke subbed him off after subbing him on, but the Japan star will surely start in place of Stach, with the German unavailable.
Perri might be struggling in goal, but he surely retains his place at City while Nmecha should be given another start against his old side after scoring two goals in two. He remains Leeds’ top scorer this term.
The other change that must be considered is on the right and despite Farke’s defence of Aaronson, it is surely time to give Dan James a start, even if it is only for an hour. Leeds’ only chance is on the counter.
That means Leeds need pace out wide and James provides that in abundance. Two changes then, as Tanaka and James come in for Stach and Aaronson when Leeds face Guardiola’s impressive Man City.
Leeds XI to face Man City: Lucas Perri; Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Gabi Gudmundsson; Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka, Sean Longstaff; Dan James, Lukas Nmecha, Noah Okafor.
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