After ending their four-game winless streak in the Championship against Bolton Wanderers at the Elland Road on Friday, Leeds United will make a trip to the Craven Cottage on Tuesday to face Fulham in their next league outing.
Slavisa Jokanovic’s men are one of the favourites to clinch a promotion to the Premier League but the Whites are no pushovers and thus, the game promises to be a crunch one.
Leeds United Team News
Leeds United will be bereft of the services of skipper Liam Cooper, as he is sidelined with a thigh injury. Midfielder Adam Forshaw is also set to be out of the fixture owing to his calf problem. Meanwhile, Luke Ayling, Laurens De Bock, Tyler Roberts and Conor Shaughnessy are the long-term absentees.
Here is how we expect Paul Heckingbottom to roll out his starting XI against Fulham.
Goalkeeper
Bailey Peacock-Farrell is expected to be stationed in goal yet again. He has been impressive in the opportunities he has received this season and should be chosen ahead of Andy Lonergan.
Defence
Stuart Dallas showed his fragility at times while operating from the right-back position against Bolton Wanderers but due to lack of options, Heckingbottom might give him the nod to start again. From the left-back slot, Gaetano Berardi will try to have his say on proceedings.
Matthew Pennington is expected to be teed up with Pontus Jansson in central defence. Jansson, in particular, needs to step up as he is a senior player, and he will have to marshal the back line meticulously to ensure that they string together some sort of form.
Midfield
Eunan O’Kane and Ronaldo Vieira are likely to be stationed in the middle of the park. Forshaw’s absence is expected to make an impact as he was certainly proving to be a galvanizing asset for the Yorkshire based outfit after his move from Middlesbrough in January.
Samuel Saiz came off the bench against the Wanderers on Friday and he might be getting the green light to start as the CAM to inject his offensive prowess to his side’s attacking endeavours.
Attack
While Ezgjan Alioski is expected to take up the right-wing slot, Pablo Hernandez is likely to get the nod to start from the left-wing. Hernandez has dazzled for the Peacocks this season and how he fares against Jokanovic’s side will have a huge say in determining the output of the game.
Caleb Ekuban managed to find the back of the net against Bolton Wanderers and is in line for another start.
