Predicted Leeds United XI to face Cardiff as Daniel Farke hands full debuts to two new signings

Daniel Farke could be forced into making some changes to his Leeds United starting XI at Cardiff City.

Not only could his side do with freshening up after their first defeat of the season against Burnley, but Leeds are also carrying a few injury concerns heading into it.

Joe Rodon, Junior Firpo, Joe Rothwell and Manor Solomon have all been nursing knocks this week, with the latter regarded as the most likely to miss out.

However, there is better news in that Patrick Bamford and Max Wober could both return to the squad after missing the loss at Elland Road last time out.

Here is our predicted Leeds XI for the match.

 

Goalkeeper

Illan Meslier of course keeps his place between the sticks.

Defence

Despite Farke’s comments about Firpo, he was spotted in Leeds’ latest inside training video and should be fit enough to start in South Wales.

Jayden Bogle has received some criticism for his start to life at Leeds and despite both Sam Byram and Isaac Schmidt pushing to replace him, it is unlikely Farke makes a change at right-back.

Rodon has missed two training sessions this week but if anywhere close to full fitness he should start alongside Pascal Struijk once again.

Midfield

Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev have started all five league matches together this season but it is time for a change in that area of the field now.

Leeds’ lack of creativity was really highlighted in that defeat to Burnley and so with Ampadu one of the first names on the team sheet, Gruev has to be the one to drop out.

As such, Ao Tanaka should be handed a full Leeds debut after making two appearances from the bench so far.

 

Attack

If Solomon is indeed carrying an injury there is no point risking him for a game against bottom of the table considering how much football he’s missed in the last 12 months.

Largie Ramazani should be the man who replaces him, starting on the right-hand-side, which in turn will allow Wilfried Gnonto to return to the left.

Brenden Aaronson and Mateo Joseph make up the rest of the front four, with the latter hoping to get back on the scoresheet after his costly miss last weekend.

Predicted XI: Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Ampadu, Tanaka; Ramazani, Aaronson, Gnonto; Joseph