Leeds United return to Birmingham this weekend with a trip to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. The Villans are currently third in the Premier League.
Leeds have a favourable set of fixtures remaining in the Premier League, relative to our rivals West Ham, Nottingham Forest, and Spurs.
However, first up in the final 12 is a trip to a side still with an outside shot at winning the league title, Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
Leeds United team news confirmed pre-Aston Villa: Noah Okafor out for two-to-four weeks
Daniel Farke’s most important bit of team news from his press conference was an expected setback. Noah Okafor has been ruled out for two-to-four weeks with a hamstring problem.
I thought Okafor would be looking at a spell on the sidelines from the moment he held his leg in that FA Cup clash. He looked in discomfort and was hooked shortly after.
Elsewhere, there was more positive news. Trio Anton Stach, Pascal Struijk and Dan James are all confirmed to be fit and available after missing the Birmingham City win.
Here, I look at the lineup I’m expecting Farke to name as Leeds travel to Aston Villa…
Goalkeeper: Karl Darlow
Lucas Perri’s best performance since joining the club came at an ideal time against the Blues. He’s low on confidence and being hounded by his teammates as the penalty shootout hero will do him the world of good.
That being said, I don’t think he starts away at Villa, meaning Karl Darlow keeps his place for the time being.
The 35-year-old has settled back into a starting berth well after two poor showings against Fulham and Arsenal, and we’ll need him on top form at Villa Park.
Villa have outperformed their xG all season. For some, that could suggest their ‘luck’ is bound to run out soon, but to me, it outlines that they’ve always got a screamer in the locker. Darlow will have to be on alert if Villa work the ball into space 25 yards from goal.
Defence: Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk, Gabriel Gudmundsson
The harsh decision I’ve taken here is not being able to find a place for James Justin, who has been outstanding for us. The fact he’s been given the captain’s armband already shows how quickly he’s become a key figure for us – pay Leicester another £8million and he’d still be worth it.
However, I do think we’re going to revert to the ‘full strength’ back five here with Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson on either flank. Both warrant their place not only for their attacking output, but solid defensive work too. The benefit of Justin on the bench is that he could relieve either player in the second half and we wouldn’t lose much (if any) quality.
At centre-back, I’m expecting Pascal Struijk comes back in to aid Leeds with and without possession. The Dutchman is somehow still seen as a marmite character amongst Leeds fans. I don’t understand how, because you notice very quickly when he’s not playing, and not in a good way.
Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol make up the other parts of the back five. All three centre-backs have their work cut out to keep Villa at bay.
Midfield: Anton Stach, Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev
Farke’s press conference comments on Anton Stach strongly suggest he’ll be back into the starting lineup this weekend.
The German has been vital and Farke stressed how well he has settled into life in the Premier League. You’d imagine that he won’t have any trouble getting back into the swing of things.
However, I’m anticipating a more advanced role than being on the right side of a midfield three. In fact, I’d expect him to operate as how he did away to Everton in January. He was constantly connecting with Bogle on the right flank and assisted Leeds’ opener that day from a cross out wide.
Farke has often played this 3-4-3 system since our change in formation. In turn, Stach has proven he can play higher to partner our front-line.
Meanwhile, Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev keep their places in the lineup. As mentioned above, their task is denying Villa from getting shots off from the edge of the box.
There’s a lot of legs in that midfield and it’s going to be needed. Ideally, Villa have multiple significant absentees in midfield: Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn, Youri Tielemans are all ruled out.
Attack: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson
As I mentioned about Stach being a hybrid wide-man off the right, that means Brenden Aaronson will be drifting out to the left in the absence of Okafor.
The USMNT star was electric in that role in the first half against Everton. But, as he and the squad tired, his influence waned and needed to be replaced much sooner.
However, there’s proof there that Leeds can go to top-half sides and cause untold problems – see Chelsea too.
Obviously, Dominic Calvert-Lewin comes in up front to lead the line. He should give Leeds a focal point to play in transition and try pin Villa’s centre-backs.
Already on double figures, Calvert-Lewin has proven to be an incredible bargain. Now, adding to that tally would get us that bit closer to safety.
Full Leeds United predicted XI to face Aston Villa
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