Leeds United‘s scintillating unbeaten run was in danger against Swansea City on Tuesday night, but the Whites showed good resilience and equalised late in the game to come away with a point.
That point took Leeds’ tally to 10 and they are currently leading the Championship standings with 10 points from 4 outings. Leeds face a tricky test this weekend against Norwich City, however.
The Canaries had a dismal start but stepped up this past midweek, registering their maiden league win of the new campaign knocking down Preston North End by 2-0 at Carrow Road.
Leeds United – Team News
Bielsa has a bit of a headache to deal with as the club’s defensive resources have been stretched. Liam Cooper has a muscle strain and missed the last fixture.
Pontus Jansson, too, was unavailable for selection due to a back injury whereas Stuart Dallas and Vurnon Anita, the versatile duo, continue to miss out because of their respective thigh and ankle strains.
Adam Forshaw is still recovering from his ankle injury and will need at least one more month before returning to first-team action.
Predicted Leeds United Lineup (4-1-4-1)
Defence
Young academy prodigy Bailey Peacock-Farrell will start in goal once again. The injury blows suffered by Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper forced Bielsa to shift Luke Ayling to a central defensive role alongside Gaetano Berardi against the Swans.
Teenager Jamie Shackleton was deployed in Ayling’s preferred right-back role and he left an immediate impression by assisting Kemar Roofe for Leeds’ first-half equaliser.
Bielsa was coy over the availability of the duo for their weekend trip but is expected to field a similar set-up even though they struggled to contain Oliver McBurnie who netted a brace for the Welsh outfit.
Barry Douglas, the summer signing from Wolves, has brought in the stability down the left and is set to retain his place for the Norwich tie. Kalvin Phillips was taken off in what was a tactical decision by Bielsa and could remain on the bench to maybe get a substitute appearance in midfield later on in the game.
Midfield
Homegrown youngster Kalvin Phillips was taken off by Bielsa against Swansea before the half-hour mark to be replaced by Lewis Baker in the deeper midfield slot. Baker, the Chelsea loanee, might finally have his maiden league start for Leeds at Carrow Road.
Ezjgajn Alioski is expected to start again on the left flank despite failing to impress the gaffer this midweek which resulted in a half-time substitution. Jack Harrison, his alternative, was not much impressive either and the Macedonian, having scored once and set up two more in four league games, needs to perform better.
Mateusz Klich has been a revelation this season after shaking off the disappointment of the previous campaign and should continue his good work in a box to box role in the middle of the park.
Samuel Saiz has done well in the attacking half and will continue alongside veteran Pablo Hernadez in the Leeds midfield.
Attack
Kemar Roofe is in stunning form with 4 goals so far and his majestic run has strengthened his place in the starting XI ahead of big money recruit Patrick Bamford.
The latter, however, is being introduced late in games in order to add more energy up top.
