Leeds United will resume their Premier League duties on Saturday with a home game against Southampton.
The Whites produced a sensational 3-2 comeback victory against Wolves at Molineux before the international break to make it two Premier League wins on the bounce. Back-to-back wins over Norwich City and Wolves has seen them move seven points clear of the dreaded drop zone.
Jesse Marsch will hope the thrilling win at Wolves galvanises his side ahead of the final stretch of games, as Leeds aim for top-flight survival.
Leeds United Team News
Illan Meslier is expected to recover from a thigh problem in time to face Southampton. Kalvin Phillips, Diego Llorente and Liam Cooper have all trained well over the international break and will be in Jesse Marsch’s squad.
🔢 @LUFC welcome Southampton to Elland Road in the @premierleague this weekend. 👇 #LUFC #MOT @ImagecoPrint pic.twitter.com/5xgjPhXdGc
— Leeds United StatZone (@lufcsz) March 30, 2022
Raphinha has also joined in training after recovering from sickness, while Mateusz Klich has returned to the squad after completing concussion training protocols. But in what is a big blow for Leeds United, Patrick Bamford has ruptured his plantar fascia and will be sidelined for at least six weeks.
Predicted Leeds United Lineup vs Southampton (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier should be fit in time to start in the Leeds United goal against Southampton. The young Frenchman will need to perform at his highest level to keep a much-needed clean sheet on Saturday.
Defence
Liam Cooper is back to full fitness from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but Jesse Marsch is likely to stick with Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk in the Leeds United lineup. Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling will keep their places at full-back, with Junior Firpo out injured.
Predicted Leeds United Lineup vs Southampton
The Leeds back four will need to be alert to Southampton’s quick counter-attacks, as Marsch hopes for a clean sheet.
Midfield
Kalvin Phillips returning to the bench in the last game against Wolves after a long injury layoff was a big boost for Marsch, but the England international is lacking game time to start a match. This means the Whites boss is likely to stick with Adam Forshaw and Mateusz Klich in central midfield to try and stop Southampton’s midfield duo of James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu.
Attack
As for the Leeds United attack, Jack Harrison will keep his spot on the left after scoring against Wolves in the last game. Raphinha has recovered from illness and should go straight into the Leeds United lineup, with the Brazilian expected to offer width, flair and energy down the right flank.
As Patrick Bamford has been ruled out for the long-term, Daniel James could be tasked to lead the line against Southampton, with Rodrigo starting in the hole behind the Welsh speedster.
