Struggling Leeds United host promoted side Watford at Elland Road on Saturday and Marcelo Bielsa’s men will be desperate to get their first win of the season. The Whites have lost three and drawn three of their opening six Premier League games of the 2021-22 season.
Leeds lost to West Ham United last weekend and will have to be at their best to defeat the Hornets. The newly-promoted side have already won two of their six games in the league this season.
Leeds also have a poor recent record against Watford as they have lost six of their last eight games in all competitions against the Yellow Army.
Let’s take a look at the possible Leeds United lineup for the game against Watford.
Team News
Bielsa confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling and Robin Koch will be unavailable for Saturday’s game through injury. Adam Forshaw has a thigh injury which will also keep him out of the game, but Diego Llorente and Raphina are fit and available.
Pascal Struijk is back from suspension and he should be in the running to be in the Leeds squad against Watford.
PREDICTED LEEDS UNITED LINEUP VS WATFORD (4-1-4-1)
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier should stay in goal for the Whites against Watford on Saturday.
Defence
In the loss to West Ham, Bielsa started with the central defensive pairing of Charlie Cresswell and Liam Cooper. With Llorente returning to the squad, he should start alongside Cooper in central defence in the Leeds United lineup.
Jamie Shackleton has done well at right-back, deputising for Ayling. He could continue in that role to allow Stuart Dallas to play in midfield. Junior Firpo should keep his left-back slot in the team.
Struijk and Cresswell are central defensive options from the bench for Bielsa.
Midfield
We could see Bielsa play the same midfield trio of Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich and Dallas, against Watford. Phillips will play deep in midfield, while Klich and Dallas will be given the freedom to roam around and bomb forward.
Tyler Roberts could be an option in the attacking midfield role for Bielsa.
Attack
The absence of Patrick Bamford means that Rodrigo will have to continue as the main central striker for Bielsa’s side. Raphinha will surely start from the right side of attack in the Leeds United lineup, while Daniel James and Jack Harrison will compete for the slot on the opposite side.
James could get the nod ahead of Harrison as his pace could be a threat on the counter.
The likes of Crysencio Summerville and Harrison could be options off the bench in the wide areas, while youngster Joe Gelhardt could be a backup option for Rodrigo.
