Leeds United travel to Birmingham City in the FA Cup this Sunday looking to avoid an upset against Championship opposition in the fourth round.
United’s survival fight is going well with a six-point gap to the bottom three as things stand. That Premier League mission takes a backseat this weekend, though.
Leeds have an FA Cup fourth round visit to Birmingham City in store on Sunday lunchtime, looking to see off a potential cup shock.
Leeds United team news pre-Birmingham City: No new injuries, Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit
There was positive news only from Daniel Farke’s pre-match press conference.
He revealed that there are no fresh setbacks in his squad following the draw away at Chelsea. Leeds were forced to cope without three crucial players in the spine of the lineip at Stamford Bridge: Anton Stach, Pascal Struijk, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Struijk and Stach’s respective injuries are on the right path and the likelihood is that they will be available when Leeds return to Premier League action on the other side of Birmingham against Aston Villa.
As for Calvert-Lewin, he’s overcome illness to return to the squad this week. However, Farke was insistent that he won’t risk any key players that could be a fitness or injury risk.
Here, I look at my predicted lineup for the FA Cup clash with plenty of changes afoot…
Goalkeeper: Lucas Perri
Now, in goal, if Farke does go with Lucas Perri, that will signal a concrete shift on who is the number one goalkeeper.
Perri was rightly dropped for two mistakes on the bounce to cost us points against Man United and Newcastle, but Darlow’s performances in place of him against Fulham and Arsenal surely left the Brazilian wondering why he’s the only one getting slated.
However, since then, Darlow’s held his own well. And, that means he retains the Premier League spot and it reduces Perri to needing this FA Cup tie as an opportunity to prove he’s still Leeds’ best goalkeeper.
Whoever you think is Leeds’ best and therefore who should be first choice is immaterial. A good performance from Perri at St Andrews would be ideal for Farke and for himself.
Defence: Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, Ethan Ampadu
For this lineup, I leaned on the starting XI that was named against Derby County. It’s a similar away cup tie against a side pushing for the Championship playoffs, that will fancy themselves at home.
Therefore, I’ve gone for the same three centre-backs that played at Pride Park: Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, and Ethan Ampadu.
Such a setup keeps Struijk and Joe Rodon wrapped in cotton wool, and allows Bornauw an opportunity to generate more rhythm after playing just under an hour on Tuesday.
I wouldn’t have played Ampadu, but Leeds don’t have enough left-sided depth right now to risk Gabriel Gudmundsson on top of whoever else is starting.
Midfield: Dan James, Ao Tanaka, Facundo Buonanotte, Sean Longstaff, James Justin
Given Leeds will expect to have more of the ball, there’s scope again for one of the wing-backs to be an actual winger. Willy Gnonto started at Derby, and I’d have liked him to start here, but we need to get Dan James up to speed with a start.
On the other side, James Justin plays at left-wing-back and could help Leeds filter into a back four if needed.
Centrally, Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff will operate as Leeds’ deeper midfielders and allow Facundo Buonanotte to roam between the lines and make Leeds’ attack tick.
It’s about time the Argentine got a proper run-out since joining on loan. This game could be perfect for him to show us a bit.
I’m not sure I’m particularly fond of the lack of action Tanaka’s getting. As Farke overlooks him in the league, this is a real opportunity for him as well.
Attack: Lukas Nmecha, Joel Piroe
Up front, this is perhaps last chance saloon for Joel Piroe in a Leeds shirt.
When Leeds wanted Jorgen Strand Larsen in the January window, it was obvious he would be pushing Piroe even further from league contention. Whether or not he leaves in the summer remains to be seen – I’m expecting it. However, this game is crucial for him proving he’s got more to offer than he’s currently getting chance for.
He’s stuck in a tricky spot is Piroe. Farke doesn’t see him as the man to snatch a goal late on – see Fulham at home. But, he doesn’t see him as someone to help us hold onto a result either – see Chelsea, Forest, Everton and several others. A good performance here might be a reminder to Farke of what he’s got in his locker.
Next to him could be Lukas Nmecha, fresh from scoring and assisting away at Chelsea. It wasn’t a vintage display to go with his goal contributions. But, he’s another that could show his technical side in this game against ‘inferior’ opposition.
Full Leeds United predicted XI to face Birmingham City
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