Noah Okafor in Leeds shirt with Daniel Farke in circular frame
Credit: Manh Tung/Breaking Media/Imago
Josh Edwards
Thu 28 August 2025 12:25, UK
Daniel Farke will be hoping his side can bounce back from defeat when they face Newcastle United this Saturday.
Despite the season only starting three games ago, concerns are starting to emerge off the back of Leeds United’s Carabao Cup exit against Sheffield Wednesday.
It came just days after the Whites were hammered 5-0 away to Arsenal, with Anton Stach the only one to walk away with any credit after that defeat.
The German is expected to return to the starting 11 this weekend, when Leeds play host to Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke waving his hand
Credit: Imago
Pascal Struijk returns to Leeds starting XI
Concerns are already present over Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri, but he is expected to return to the starting line-up this weekend in place of Karl Darlow.
MORE LEEDS STORIES
Four changes are expected ahead of him, with Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Gabriel Gudmundsson all returning to the line-up.
Gudmundsson was a disaster in Leeds’ defeat to Arsenal, and will need to give a much better showing of his ability against Eddie Howe’s side.
With injury to Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu, Farke has very few options to pick from, meaning it is likely to be an unchanged midfield pairing from the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
Sean Longstaff will start alongside Ilia Gruev, with Anton Stach then returning to play a slightly more advanced role.
How Leeds could line up vs Newcastle
How Leeds could line up vs Newcastle
Noah Okafor to make full Premier League debut
Dan James is yet to prove that he is cut out for Premier League football, and he could sit this game out once again.
Willy Gnonto could return to feature on the right-wing, allowing Noah Okafor to make his full Premier League debut on the left.
After Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s nightmare display for Leeds against Sheffield Wednesday, it’s highly unlikely he starts anytime soon, with Joel Piroe expected to lead the line.
Sign up for the MOT Leeds News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Leeds United news sent straight to your phone.