Leeds haven’t had the best of times as of late as they’ve failed to win each of their last three games.
Unfortunately, at this time of year games come thick and fast and the Whites have just three days between their draw with Preston and their next game against Birmingham.
Now would usually be a good time for a team to rotate as they’re in bad form and fatigue could be a factor as they’re playing twice in three days, but with a small squad that has recently been affected by injuries to key players, Leeds seemingly have no choice but to line up in a very similar fashion to how they did on Thursday.
Here’s how we predict Bielsa will field his side…
Unsurprisingly, the six players who have started every league game for the Whites this term continue their streaks as Kiko Casilla, Ben White, Stuart Dallas, Mateusz Klich, Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford all retain their spots.
However, there is a slight position change for Dallas. The Northern Irishman has been playing in the midfield as of late, but he moves back to left-back for this one.
The midfield role vacated by Dallas is taken up by 20-year-old Jamie Shackleton as he replaces Ezgjan Alioski who drops out of the XI.
Phil Hay stated that Leeds missed Adam Forshaw against Preston, so getting a player like Shackleton who is in a similar mould to Forshaw in the side makes a lot of sense.
Helder Costa plays on the right as Pablo Hernandez remains sidelined and Jack Clarke has now been recalled by Tottenham.
Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper make up the rest of the back four for this one.
In other news, our writers have been pondering whether or not one striker would be a good signing for Leeds.