Leeds United will be aiming for no less than three points on Friday when they travel to Molineux to face Wolves in the Premier League.
The Whites finally secured a win last weekend against relegation favourites Norwich City thanks to a last-gasp winner from Joe Gelhardt at Elland Road. It marked Jesse Marsch’s first win in charge of the club.
The Yorkshire giants head into this week’s game 16th in the league table, four points above 18th-placed Watford, and Marsch will hope the win against Norwich gives his team some confidence to play Bruno Lage’s side at Molineux.
Leeds United Team News
Leeds United will be without Tyler Roberts, Leo Hjelde and Junior Firpo for the trip to Wolves, while Rodrigo is a doubt with a thigh problem. The Spaniard, who came off injured in the second half against Norwich City, however, is yet to be ruled out.
👊 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻!#LUFC x @Boost_Drinks pic.twitter.com/kHL6s20C16
— Leeds United (@LUFC) March 17, 2022
Jesse Marsch provided positive updates on the duo of Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper. They are in contention to make the trip to Molineaux, but may not start the game. Patrick Bamford is also expected to shake off some muscle soreness and start.
Predicted Leeds United Lineup vs Wolves (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier once again failed to keep a clean sheet for Leeds United, but he would have been delighted to end on the winning side against Norwich City. The young French stopper’s long search for a shutout will continue on Friday evening at Wolves.
Defence
Leeds United have conceded five goals in three games under Jesse Marsch, and the new manager will hope to see his side show more resilience while defending against Wolves.
Predicted Leeds United Lineup vs Wolves
We expect a back four of Luke Ayling, Diego Llorente, Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas, as Marsch hopes to win back-to-back league games.
Midfield
Robin Koch could be recalled into the Leeds United lineup, having started the game against Norwich City on the bench. The German would be tasked to screen the Leeds backline along with Adam Forshaw, thereby, limiting the influence of the Wolves attackers in the final third.
If Koch and Forshaw stick to their guns and avoid getting overrun in midfield, the Whites will have a better chance of returning to Yorkshire with a positive result.
Attack
If Rodrigo misses out with a thigh problem, Mateusz Klich could take the no.10 role and do the job of linking the midfield with attack. A free role will suit the Polish international, with Daniel James and Raphinha bringing pace, flair and creativity from the wide areas.
Marsch is expected to stick with Patrick Bamford up front again, with the Englishman desperate to get back among the goals. Against a strong Wolves backline, he will have to strive hard to get a goal on Friday evening.