Good news as Mateo Joseph Start for Leeds united

Leeds United host Portsmouth at Elland Road, with the Whites looking to get off to the best possible start against the League One champions.

Promotion to the Premier League is the priority for Leeds this season after finishing third in the Championship with an impressive 90 points last season, which saw them narrowly miss out on automatic promotion.

Daniel Farke has been handed a favourable opening to the 2024/25 campaign against newly promoted Portsmouth, and he will be hoping for a winning start as Leeds aim to go one better than their play-off final defeat to Southampton.

The pressure will be on the Whites to get off to the best possible start in a fixture that hasn’t been played since 2012, and also to send a statement of intent to their Championship rivals.

Despite the disappointment and departures, there is an air of optimism surrounding Leeds as they enter the new season. In part, that is because Farke and co. have made some impressive signings to bolster his squad.

Farke will likely opt with as much continuity as possible against Portsmouth, which Leeds are largely able to field through a number of players remaining from last season. Patrick Bamford has missed much of pre-season, but they are otherwise expected to be at full strength for the opening fixture of the campaign, with Farke confirming his side are injury-free in his pre-match press conference.

Here, we take a look at the starting lineup Farke could put out for Leeds’ first game of the 2024/25 campaign. What changes might he make from the win over Valencia in pre-season last time out?

No one would argue that Bogle is a player that is better than Archie Gray, or with a higher ceiling. However, his athleticism and ability to overlap should bring more balance to Leeds next season at right-back. He has vast experience of promotion battles out of this league and should be a vital player this season.

Joe Rodon has been outstanding for Leeds since signing on loan from Tottenham and will always start on the right-side at the heart of Leeds’ defence when fit. His permanent deal came at just the right time for the Whites, after an imperious first season at the club, despite the loss of Gray in the process.

Pascal Struijk is an accomplished player in possession and had been one of Leeds’ most consistent players in the back line before his injury last season. He forms a rock solid partnership alongside Rodon and may take the armband on occasion as well, having seen his role in the dressing room grow over the last year.

The shortage of specialist options at left-back for Leeds is certain to see Junior Firpo maintain his place in the starting lineup, having been one of few who continually impressed during a tricky ending to the league season last year. He is essential for build up and interplay down the left-hand side.

Ilia Gruev’s retention as the anchoring midfielder was crucial at times last season, with his metronomic passing keeping Leeds ticking over, and he has been one of Leeds’ best performers since coming into the side. The Whites rely on a player of his type to keep the ball in the opposition half as often as possible.

Gruev’s role could change this season or Farke could opt for Joe Rothwell as the No.8, but the Bulgarian has shown glimpses of playing further ahead of Leeds’ other pivot player in pre-season, so should be allowed to express himself in advanced areas when Leeds pin Portsmouth back.

Ampadu featured impressively at both centre-back and in holding midfield last season, and was rewarded with the club’s Player of the Year award for his sheer consistency and reliability, irrespective of where he is asked to start. He is now the club captain at the age of just 23, having been virtually ever-present last season, and should be the deeper of the two midfield players in his best role for Leeds.

Dan James has been a constant outlet and source of goals for Farke, despite the German not starting the speedy winger in every game last year, given Leeds’ wealth of options. He will have a big part to play again this season, and it will be interesting to see how his combination play with Bogle develops in the early fixtures.

Rutter has been superb in attack for Farke, and it could be argued that he is their most crucial player in the final third this season due to his creativity and invention. Roles are more important than positions, and his best performances last season came in the line of three behind the striker, where he could play centrally or from the right.

Crysencio Summerville’s departure is a tough one to take but could see Willy Gnonto play his best position on the left next season. The 20-year-old Italian’s ability one-vs-one, flair, and dynamic with other forwards could be crucial in any game when one moment of inspiration can make you a match-winner.

As the new season kicks off, all eyes will be on young striker Mateo Joseph and whether Farke grants him his full league debut at long last for Leeds. After an impressive pre-season as the club’s top scorer, there is a growing belief that he is ready to make a significant impact as the line-leading centre-forward ahead of Patrick Bamford and Joel Piroe.

Albeit, Piroe’s record is difficult to ignore in the second tier, even if he lacks some of the all-round striker qualities to be a number-nine. He may not have Joseph’s athleticism or intensity out of possession, but will score goals in any team or system as the best finisher at the club, and one of the best in the league.