Leeds United have started the season on a very strong note having won all of their games in the Championship and the League Cup so far. Marcelo Bielsa’s side are second in the league right now following wins against Stoke City and Derby County and will want to make it three in a row when they take on Rotherham this weekend.
Rotherham themselves have managed two wins in their last two games in all competitions following the opening weekend defeat to Brentford. They will, however, start as the underdogs against Bielsa’s side.
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Leeds will be without the services of Adam Forshaw who has been ruled out for another month with an ankle injury. Versatile attacker Stuart Dallas is yet to return to action due to a knee strain while veteran Vurnon Anita remains sidelined due to an ankle injury.
Predicted Leeds United lineup
Defence
Bielsa, the former Argentina and Chile chief, rested many of his first-team regulars for the League Cup clash and is likely to recall them against Rotherham.
Young custodian Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who was at fault for Derby County’s early equaliser at Pride Park last Saturday, is expected to start in goal.
Luke Ayling should retain his place in his preferred right-back role. Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi are the first choice centre-back pairing and should start at the heart of the defence.
Barry Douglas, the summer signing from Wolves, has hit the ground running and should start as the left-back.
Midfield
Bielsa has altered his famous 3-3-1-3 to a more traditional 4-1-4-1 setup where youngster Kalvin Phillips has been deployed in the deeper midfield role because he reads the game well and for his impressive distribution.
Mateusz Klich, a forgotten man last season, has silenced his critics with back to back goals in both of Leeds’ league encounters and he could partner Samuel Saiz in midfield.
Saiz scored this midweek against Bolton and he’ll offer the creativity and the drive in the attacking third. Veteran Pablo Hernandez has been sublime on the right and should start there once again.
Ezgjan Alioski has shown promise on the left and should keep his place. Both Hernandez and Alioski have mustered two assists so far in the league and will look to continue their rich vein of form.
Attack
Despite Patrick Bamford’s impressive display against Bolton this midweek, we are likely to see Kemar Roofe keep his place as the forward. Bamford could get a few minutes off the bench, however.
