Leeds United kicked off their 2020-21 Premier League season with a defeat against reigning Premier League champions, Liverpool, but showed what they are all about. The Whites had their baptism of fire, but they did relatively well, narrowly losing 4-3 to the Reds, and going toe to toe with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The 2019-20 Championship winners will face fellow promoted side Fulham, at Elland Road, on Saturday. The Whites played the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, and lost on penalties to Hull City, but the first season back in the top flight will be all about priorities as the recuperation time in between games will be less.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa played a second-string side on Wednesday, prioritising the Premier League over the League Cup, so expect the big guns to return come Saturday.
Early Leeds United Team News
Captain Liam Cooper should return to the Leeds United squad after recovering from his calf injury. The only absentee for this weekend’s match will be midfielder Adam Forshaw.
Robin Koch had the tough task of playing against one of the best attacks in Europe in the previous game, but that will not get any easier as he might be up against an imposing Aleksandar Mitrovic when the Whites face Fulham. Bamford should start ahead of new signing Rodrigo once again.
Ahead of their second Premier League game, let’s take a look at the possible Leeds United team for this weekend:
Predicted Leeds United Lineup vs Fulham
Goalkeeper
Kiko Casilla played in the Carabao Cup game, replacing Illan Meslier in goal. But, the 20-year-old goalkeeper should return between the sticks for the clash against Fulham.
Defence
Pascal Struijk played the full game against Liverpool, and then played the first half against Fulham. The young defender may be replaced by captain Liam Cooper in the Leeds United lineup for the game against Fulham. Koch is expected to start alongside Cooper, and will hope to put in a better performance this time.
Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling are likely to start at left-back and right-back, respectively, in the Leeds United lineup. Barry Douglas and Jamie Shackleton played at left-back and right-back against Fulham, and the duo could start on the bench against Fulham.
Midfield
The midfield should be unchanged from the Liverpool game, with defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips playing in the deep role, and Mateusz Klich and Pablo Hernandez playing ahead of him. Tyler Roberts will be an option in midfield for Bielsa.
Attack
Helder Costa and Jack Harrison both played very well against Liverpool and they should retain their places in the Leeds United lineup on the right and left, respectively.
It will be interesting to see if Bielsa keeps Patrick Bamford in the starting XI, or replaces him with new signing Rodrigo. The latter played the entire game against Fulham. Bielsa may retain Bamford, who got into good positions at times against Liverpool, and could have had more than the one goal he scored.
