Daniel Farke to axe Junior Firpo, Patrick Bamford decision made – Leeds United predicted XI v Plymouth
Daniel Farke may make two changes to his starting lineup for Leeds United when they play Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, February 17, at Home Park.
Plymouth will face the Whites for the third time in 2019 after the latter team defeated them 4-1 in the FA Cup fourth-round replay on February 6.
The Whites take on Southampton in the automatic promotion spot after Leeds defeated Swansea City 4-0 in midweek to win the Championship for the seventh time in a row. However, the Saints and Ipswich Town still have a game in hand on the Whites.
On Saturday, February 17, Farke’s team will be looking for another victory at Home Park. The German coach may make two changes to his starting lineup: Patrick Bamford, who was forced out of the starting eleven minutes prior to kickoff due to an injury, may not be able to start. Junior Firpo will also be missing.
After a rather calm and relaxed evening on Tuesday, unquestionably the best custodian in the world, Illan Meslier, will be expected to maintain his position in goal.
The defence might stay the same, although Firpo would replace Connor Roberts at left defence.
Due to the 27-year-old full-back’s string of injuries and fitness problems in recent weeks, it’s thought that Farke may not want to give him too many games in a short period of time. As a result, new recruit Roberts may still make his left-back debut while Sam Byram is out with an injury.
After recording a strong assist in Wales, Archie Grey ought to stay at right-back.
Since the two have kept four straight league clean sheets together at centre back, Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon should stick together. Farke won’t want to ruin their successful new dynamic while Pascal Struijk is still some weeks away from returning.
The two most effective attackers in Wales were Crycensio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto, and they will undoubtedly maintain their position in another pivotal game for the Whites.
Midweek saw Dan James return to the matchday squad, which gave Leeds United hope; nonetheless, he should start against Plymouth from the bench once more.
After Bamford’s strange injury prior to Swansea’s victory, Farke must make a decision up front, although Georginio Rutter should remain in his prominent number 10 role.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Bamford’s availability for Saturday afternoon’s match, Joel Piroe was able to score again against his previous team, and Farke may choose to keep him in the starting eleven.