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Leeds United's promotion hero might well be axed for 26-y/o Everton for this crucial reason -…

Leeds United’s plans for the start of the season are becoming more concrete under Daniel Farke, with the AC Milan friendly likely to be a strong indicator of the first XI we see against Everton.

The Whites have one more pre-season game remaining before their Premier League survival bid comes into full focus, kicking off with a home test against David Moyes’ Everton.

Before that is a trip out to Dublin to take on Italian giants AC Milan, the final pre-season friendly and another test against established top flight opposition.

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Leeds United starting XI insight gained from AC Milan fixture this weekend

Daniel Farke’s preparation for this season has to be spot on in order for him to not only stay in the job for the full year, but also to stand a chance of staying up to.

Against the Rossoneri, his starting lineup at the Aviva Stadium will be a window into his rationale for the opening clash with the Toffees on Monday Night Football.

(Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)

Last August’s final friendly at home to Valencia brought the same XI that we saw when Leeds then hosted Portsmouth on the opening day of the 24/25 campaign.

Whoever gets the nod in Dublin is likely to be starting when Moyes’ Toffees arrive in LS11 on the 18th, barring any late injury issues or a recovery for Jayden Bogle.

It probably means Jaka Bijol won’t start, as he’s suspended for matchday one due to a bizarre red card ruling carrying over from the Serie A after his move from Udinese.

Who starts up front out of Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe?

As much as every person will refute the absolute importance of pre-season form going into the start of the campaign, everyone also takes note when individuals stand out.

Joel Piroe is one of those, scoring another handful of goals after collecting the Championship golden boot with 19 last season, netting from close range against Champions League opposition Villarreal on Saturday.

(Action Images/Andrew Boyers)

Piroe, however, started the game on the bench with free agent signing Lukas Nmecha getting the starting slot up front.

The German bagged in both games out in Germany against lower league opposition, but has demonstrated a more suitable skill set for what Leeds are going to need against Everton’s physically imposing back line – likely facing James Tarkowski, Jake O’Brien, and one of Michael Keane or Jarrad Branthwaite (fitness depending).

It’s not the back line that Piroe typically would thrive against, unable to test them with runs in behind, nor capable of bullying his way through aerial duels or pinning centre-backs with his back to goal.

Where Piroe thrives is dropping deeper or peeling off to get on the end of chances, which might not be the sort of forward Leeds need to get a foot hold against Everton at home and dominate portions of the game.

His goal threat is unquestioned when he’s getting a healthy supply of chances, but there’s of course so much more to Premier League forward play, hence Leeds’ insistence to sign a new forward, and it might lend itself to Nmecha handed a competitive full debut with the Dutchman held back for a sub appearance when the game may become more stretched and more suited to his abilities.

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