Leeds United will host Aston Villa in the Premier League
Leeds United will aim to end a three-game winless run in the Premier League when Aston Villa travel to Elland Road on Sunday.
The Whites were demolished 5-2 by Brentford during their most recent fixture, but Jesse Marsch will hope the 29-day break between fixtures has given his squad the time to recharge their batteries for a hectic October schedule.
At home, Marsch’s side will expect a stiff challenge from Aston Villa, who ran out 1-0 winners over Southampton before the September hiatus.
Leeds United have lost Adam Forshaw to a slight ankle problem, ruling him out of Sunday’s game.
16-year-old Archie Gray has suffered a fractured toe and Stuart Dallas remains a long-term casualty. Other than the aforementioned trio, Jesse Marsch has a fully fit squad to select his team.
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier is Leeds United’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper and should continue between the sticks on Sunday.
Defence
Ahead of Meslier, a flat back four of Rasmus Kristensen, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk are expected to start in the Leeds United lineup. Liam Cooper’s return from injury is a big boost, but Marsch might want to give the pair of Llorente and Koch another go despite the former’s patchy form.
Similarly, Struijk will have no plan of relinquishing his new-found left-back role just yet following the return of Junior Firpo from injury.
Midfield
Tyler Adams and Marc Roca will run the two-man midfield of the Leeds United lineup, and with a creative player like Philippe Coutinho in the opposition ranks, the Leeds midfielders have to be very mindful of their actions.
Brenden Aaronson will occupy the No.10 role and look to be the glue between the midfield and attack against Aston Villa.
Attack
Fit-again Rodrigo could get the nod ahead of Patrick Bamford to lead the Leeds United lineup against Steven Gerrard’s men. He will try to link play in the final third and find his scoring boots.
Luis Sinisterra and Jack Harrison should provide support to Rodrigo from wide positions in attack. Considering Villa’s patchy defensive form and injuries in defence, Sinisterra, Rodrigo and Harrison could get a lot of joy in and around the box. The onus will be on Sinisterra to produce the goods in the final third to help Leeds rediscover some semblance of form.
Wilfried Gnonto, signed on transfer deadline day from FC Zurich, could add muscle to Leeds’ offensive options by joining the likes of Patrick Bamford and Joe Gerhardt on the bench at the weekend.
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