Leeds United suffered their first defeat under Marcelo Bielsa on Tuesday night against a 10 men Preston North End side in the EFL Cup Second Round fixture at Elland Road.
The upset knocked them out from the Cup but the Whites are still on top of the Championship standings and that is the priority right now.
This Friday night, Bielsa’s side will take on Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough – fellow promotion contenders who are only behind on goal difference standings. Boro, too, are still unbeaten in the Championship and grinding out results.
Leeds United – Team News
Adam Forshaw and Vurnon Anita are still out with injuries. Liam Cooper is yet to recover fully from a hamstring strain suffered prior to the Swansea City game and could sit this one out.
Bielsa fielded a much-changed team this past midweek and we expect the first-teamers to return.
Predicted Leeds United Lineup (4-1-4-1)
Defence
Youngster Bailey Peacock-Farrell will return to action between the sticks, replacing Jamal Blackman, after he was rested for the midweek Cup contest.
The preferred back four is likely to be restored as Luke Ayling and Barry Douglas will start in the full-back roles. Gaetano Berardi should replace Conor Shaughnessy in central defence but Pontus Jansson could keep his place until Liam Cooper recovers from his minor strain.
Midfield
Kalvin Phillips has done well in his new role of linking play from the back. The midfielder has impressed so far as a deep-lying role and is expected to do so once again against Boro on Friday night.
Mateusz Klich has been a revelation under Bielsa and has scored a few crucial goals already this season. His impressive form has led to an international call-up with Poland.
Samuel Saiz is being deployed more centrally in order to utilise his creativity. He has combined well with compatriot Pablo Hernandez and Ezgjan Alioski on the flanks. The two wide players are in blistering form and have scored a combined five goals so far this season.
Attack
Patrick Bamford was handed a start against Preston in the Cup tie but the former Boro marksman failed to impress in place of the high-flying Kemar Roofe who has had a stunning season so far.
Roofe has already mustered four goals so far this season and is expected to return to the starting XI at the expense of Bamford. The latter might get a few minutes off the bench, however.
