Leeds United 1 Aston Villa 2: Lee Sobot's YEP video verdict
The Leeds United boss will speak with the media this afternoon ahead of Saturday's Premier League meeting with Manchester City.
Leeds United are back in action this weekend and ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester City, Daniel Farke will hold his pre-game press conference this afternoon.
The Whites are spending their first week in the Premier League relegation zone following last Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa. Lukas Nmecha’s early goal kickstarted a competitive first-half but Morgan Rogers scored twice after half-time to condemn Farke’s side to a fifth loss in six.
There were smatterings of fan mutiny during and after the defeat with chants of ‘make a sub’ and ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ aimed towards Farke at points. The German insisted after full-time he was not concerned with his job security, however, and has spent this week setting about a gameplan for Saturday.
Questions over his future will likely be asked again this afternoon but Farke will be in charge at the Etihad and will be more inclined to speak about the upcoming challenge. Things don’t get much more difficult than Manchester City away and so there is little room to be focused on anything else.
Looking ahead to Saturday, Farke will provide an update on Anton Stach who was removed via the use of a concussion substitution during last weekend’s defeat. The midfielder rose highest to beat Emi Martinez to a looping ball in the build-up to Nmecha’s goal but landed awkwardly and was later forced off.
A confirmed concussion would rule Stach out for Saturday’s trip to Manchester City but the German will have undergone more in-depth head injury assessments during the week. His absence would likely rule out one selection decision with Ao Tanaka expected to return.
Daniel Farke set to provide Leeds United injury update
Hopefully, Stach will be the only player Farke provides a fitness update on, with no other issues appearing to have been picked up against Villa. Leeds have since come through almost a full week of training and so any issues picked up in that timeframe will also be mentioned.
There are decisions to be made in other positions, specifically in forward areas. Farke hit out at the criticism Brenden Aaronson has received amid calls for him to be dropped, albeit Saturday might be viewed as the exact type of game where the American is most useful.
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Upfront, Nmecha scored his third goal of the season against Villa and will be desperate to face City, having spent over a decade with the Manchester club as a youngster. With Leeds likely to be pinned back though, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s excellent hold-up play might be preferred.
Farke might also be quizzed on Leeds’ recent style of play, with the more direct approach that brought early-season success not as forthcoming. The Whites aren’t expected to enjoy the lion’s share of possession on Saturday and so it will be interesting to see how they approach those moments when they do have the ball.
And finally, Farke could be given the chance to provide his thoughts on this weekend’s hosts and his opposite number, Pep Guardiola. City head into Saturday having lost back-to-back games so will be looking for a reaction.
Daniel Farke is due to speak with the media at 1.30pm. Stay tuned for live updates below...
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