Leeds United face Sheffield Wednesday this evening in the EFL Cup second round with plenty of changes expected from Daniel Farke.
United’s Premier League return was brought swiftly back down to size by Arsenal with a 5-0 defeat on Saturday afternoon, and a unique opportunity for a response presents itself this evening.
Leeds travel to Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup second round, facing a side drenched in turmoil due to ongoing owner controversy, a lengthy transfer fee restriction, unpaid staff and players, an alarmingly small squad hit with significant injuries, and justified protests that will be noticeable tonight at Hillsborough.
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Leeds travelled down to the Emirates without their club captain Ethan Ampadu, whose MCL setback against Everton sees him ruled out until after the upcoming international break.
(REUTERS/Scott Heppell)
After defeat to the Gunners, Farke revealed an issue for fellow midfielder Ao Tanaka, who is being assessed ahead of this game.
Other than that, there are no other setbacks for the German to context with, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin is said by Farke to be going through his own “mini pre-season” after joining on a free transfer earlier in August.
Here, we predict the lineup Farke could name as Leeds travel down to South Yorkshire to take on Sheffield Wednesday…
Goalkeeper: Karl Darlow
Lucas Perri has come in for some very bizarre flak for being unable to keep out any of Arsenal’s five goals, given they were largely unstoppable from a ‘keeper’s perspective, even if his distribution has been shaky for two games.
That being said, he’s going to come out of the lineup here in order for Karl Darlow to get his chance in the lineup, having helped United to the league title in the final seven games of last season.
Darlow brought a superb level of calm to the Leeds backline right when it was needed last season, and will be looking to make sure his presence isn’t forgotten about despite Perri’s arrival.
Defence: Jayden Bogle, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, Sam Byram
In an ideal world, new signing James Justin would be right in from the start for his Leeds debut, but given that he’s been recovering from a minor setback at Leicester City, a role off the bench to replace Jayden Bogle in the second half may be more viable.
At centre-back are two debutants in Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw, two players signed to beef up defensive competition, with both looking to get up to top speed after arriving from Udinese and Wolfsburg respectively.
(REUTERS/Lee Smith)
There’s an expectation that Bijol will be a nailed on starter sooner rather than later, and this game is perhaps the best chance for him to get up to speed.
Gabriel Gudmundsson was a busy boy at the Emirates and could do with rest this midweek, opening the door for Sam Byram to start.
Midfield: Sam Chambers, Ilia Gruev, Sean Longstaff
Leeds’ midfield had a seriously tough time of it at Arsenal, especially Ilia Gruev, but with Ampadu out, he’s the only out-and-out ‘number six’ in the senior squad and is likely to start as a result.
Anton Stach *could* play as a six, but his energy and ability to cover ground so well would have him wasted in that role.
(Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge)
Either side of Gruev, I think we’re could see youngster Sam Chambers as well a full debut for Sean Longstaff after his cameo off the bench against Arsenal – it seemed baffling that Leeds needed physicality in the summer and sought Longstaff, but Farke overlooked him for one of the most physically demanding games we could play this season.
For Chambers, he is one of multiple that could do with a loan away to develop into a senior option, but for now, a chance to play in this fixture against a side he’d fancy his chances of competing against should be a great opportunity, the same could also be said of Rhys Chadwick or Harry Gray.
Attack: Brenden Aaronson, Lukas Nmecha, Noah Okafor
Joel Piroe demonstrated his shortcomings against Arsenal and added further weight to the debate of playing Lukas Nmecha from the start until Dominic Calvert-Lewin is capable.
The German has shown in two cameos that his aerial presence can get Leeds up the pitch when they’re up against it, an asset Leeds are going to need when they’re second best in a lot of Premier League games.
(Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough)
A starting opportunity against lesser opposition should provide Nmecha with an audition to show what he can do when Leeds have plenty of the ball.
Out wide, Noah Okafor ought to come in for his full debut after some bright sparks off the bench on Saturday, again looking to fully integrate, having enjoyed a strong pre-season with Milan.
On the right, Brenden Aaronson could get the nod with Dan James and Willy Gnonto needing rest, as we hope for updates on Leeds pursuing another attacking signing.
Full Leeds United predicted XI to face SWFC
Do you agree? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!