Leeds United lost their fourth game of the season last weekend when they were beaten by Fulham at Craven Cottage, and will take on Preston in their next Championship fixture.
The gap to West Bromwich Albion at the top of the table is just two points for the Whites, but Sheffield Wednesday reduced the gap Marcelo Bielsa’s side had on the automatic playoff spots, and are just 8 points behind Leeds.
The Whites face on Thursday night at Elland Road, and will hope to get back to winning ways after two disappointing results in the league.
Leeds United Team News
Veteran winger Pablo Hernandez has been ruled out of the game due to a hamstring injury and could be out for as long as a month.
But there’s some good news for Leeds fans as Tyler Roberts and Jamie Shackleton could return to the Leeds squad. Adam Forshaw is still out of action. Barry Douglas is also likely to miss the game due to sickness.
Let’s take a look at the possible Leeds United team for the game against Preston:
Predicted Leeds United Lineup vs Preston
Goalkeeper
Kiko Casilla is the no. 1 custodian, and should line up in goal for the Whites.
Defence
We could see Bielsa revert to a three-man central defence due to the absence of Pablo Hernandez in midfield, as well as the other central midfielders just returning from injury. Ben White, Liam Cooper, and Luke Ayling should start at the back for the Whites.
Midfield
Bielsa, in his pre-match press conference, revealed that Ezgjan Alioski and Stuart Dallas will play in midfield for Leeds for the game against Preston.
This means that Kalvin Phillips will play as the deepest midfielder, flanked by Alioski on the left, and Dallas on the right, playing as wing-backs in attack, and midfielders in defence.
Mateusz Klich should play as the furthest midfielder in the Leeds United lineup, and will have the freedom to bomb forward. Tyler Roberts and Jamie Shackleton could be options for Bielsa off the bench.
Attack
Patrick Bamford scored his 10th league goal of the season against Fulham and he should start as the central striker in the Leeds United lineup.
Hélder Costa should play on the right, while Jack Harrison should retain his place on the left side of attack for the Whites.
