The finest Leeds United news of the week came from Daniel Farke, who confirmed that Sam Byram would be available for today’s match against Cardiff City. Though he should be back in the squad in Wales, the injury-prone full-back hobbled off on New Year’s Day for the third time in seven weeks.

The crucial query is how much Farke is willing to use Byram. He is without a doubt Farke’s best option at left-back, and since Leeds plays just one game a week, they cannot afford to be anything less than optimal.

In Byram’s absence, Junior Firpo’s acumen has been developing, and this might be Farke’s most cunning play to date. However, there will be a strong temptation to employ Byram, one of the best performers of the season thus far.

Stop the away rot?

Given that the Whites have won all of their home games this season, it is easy to determine why they are fourth in the standings based on their road performance. Leeds are now seeing their lowest run of away performances of the entire season.

Three straight league defeats at Sunderland, Preston North End, and West Bromwich Albion preceded an outstanding performance at London Road in the FA Cup. Farke will undoubtedly want to put an end to the decay in the Welsh capital today, even though he dislikes to distinguish between home and away.

 

Bamford to roll the years back?

 

The welcome back of Patrick Bamford has gone incredibly well. With two league and cup starts under his belt and two goals under his belt, the 30-year-old will look to continue that run tonight.

His confidence must have been bolstered by his contender for goal of the season performance last weekend, since he is certain to start again today. The first three games of the 2020–21 Premier League season were Bamford’s latest three-game scoring streak.

Naturally, United’s number nine would go on to score 17 goals in the Premier League that season and earn an England cap in September 2021.

Ampadu to carry on at centre-back?

The bad news this week was Liam Cooper’s and Pascal Struijk’s injuries, if Byram was the bright spot. With them out of the game and Charlie Cresswell frozen out, Ethan Ampadu should stay in centre defence.

And the armband he received the previous weekend is probably going to stay on the 23-year-old. With two goals and an assist in Cambridgeshire, it was a terrific start for the captain.

Gray and Kamara partnered for the first time?

Ampadu is anticipated to start in central defence; therefore, Farke must decide whether to pair Glen Kamara with Archie Grey or Ilia Gruev. Although they both performed admirably last weekend, the latter stood out, and his potential in the middle makes it difficult to overlook him.

Although we haven’t seen him and Kamara play a game together in the engine room yet, if they do, it will be an interesting dynamic. Since neither is as defensive as Ampadu, Leeds might be able to play a little more freely away from home.

Jamie Shackleton will have to play well at right-back if Grey plays in the midfield. Given how much attention has been focused on Shackleton’s transfer this month, Farke will be closely monitoring his progress.