Farke drops Dan James in predicted Leeds line-up vs Huddersfield
Conor Gallagher’s late goal at Stamford Bridge gave the hosts a 3-2 victory, meaning Daniel Farke’s team was sadly denied a trip to the competition’s quarterfinals.
Following that match, and in front of this encounter with Huddersfield, the German head coach declared that Ilia Gruev is still doubtful but that Georgia Rutter, Crysencio Summerville, and Patrick Bamford will all be eligible for selection.
In light of the injury news, Farke may alter the starting lineup that was selected for the match in London. This is FFC’s predicted Leeds lineup for Saturday’s match against the Terriers.
1. Illan Meslier
Illan Meslier has to get back in between the sticks. Throughout the Championship season, he has been the manager’s first-choice shot-stopper. On Wednesday night, he began against the Blues.
2. Archie Gray
3. Joe Rodon
Joe Rodon, a Wales international, ought to start in center defense. This season, the colossus on loan from Tottenham Hotspur has been an outstanding defender for the Whites.
Throughout the 2023–24 campaign, he has won 66% of his individual matches in the Championship, demonstrating that he is rarely defeated by opponents on the ground or in the air.
4. Liam Cooper
Due to the uncertainty surrounding Gruev’s availability, Farke may continue to use captain Liam Cooper in addition to the Spurs loanee. This might imply that Ethan Ampadu will be required in midfield and will not be able to return to center defense.
The Scotland international’s Wednesday night versus Chelsea was uneventful. Although he won all four of his ground battles that night, Nicolas Jackson and Gallagher moved too swiftly for him to handle, and he was also caught off guard for the first and third goals.
5. Junior Firpo
Despite a lackluster performance against Chelsea, Junior Firpo could maintain his starting position at left defense. His poor defending on all three goals made him one of the night’s worst players, according to FFC, who ranked him just behind Joel Piroe.
Firpo stepped in and completely missed the man and ball, giving Gallagher the opportunity to spin and face Cooper. All three of Chelsea’s goals came from the ex-Barcelona full-back’s side.
Despite being the only natural left-back in the team, he has contributed four assists in nine games and provided a potent attacking threat down the left wing in the Championship.
6′ Ethan Ampadu
Ampadu could keep his spot in the middle of the park after Leeds played calmly against his old team, as Cooper’s inclusion made clear.
In addition to winning four of the six midfield duels that he tried at Stamford Bridge, the Wales international completed 94% of his passes.
7. Glen Kamara
8. Wilfried Gnonto
In the second change to the starting lineup, Wilfried Gnonto might return in favor of Welsh winger Dan James, who Farke might bench.
| Dan James | Vs Chelsea |
|---|---|
| Minutes played | 79 |
| Pass accuracy | 70% |
| Key passes | One |
| Big chances missed | One |
| Duels won | Zero |
| Stats via Sofascore | |
The above table illustrates the rough night the former Manchester United forward had against the Premier League team. He was careless with the ball and didn’t pose much of a danger in the closing third.
However, Gnonto should be substituted for James by the manager because he has five goals and one assist in his last seven games across all competitions.
9. Georginio Rutter
After Farke announced that Rutter would be available to play, he should be back in the starting lineup at number ten, ahead of Piroe.
With zero goals, zero assists, and a 67% dud loss rate versus Chelsea, the Dutch forward was awful and ought to be replaced by the French talent.
Rutter, who was previously praised as “clinical” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has amassed six goals and eleven assists in the Championship thus far this year. His offensive prowess has the potential to completely overwhelm the Terriers.
10. Crysencio Summerville
The starting lineup may change once more, possibly to the left, for the fourth and final time. Despite Jaidon Anthony’s incredible performance at Stamford Bridge, Summerville, a standout for Leeds, might take his place.
The only player with more assists this season in the Championship than the 22-year-old magician (eight) is Rutter (11). With fifteen goals, no Whites player has scored more than the Dutch gem.
In 23 league games this season, Anthony has only contributed one goal and zero assists, despite helping the team score both goals against Chelsea. Farke may therefore put his standout forward back in the starting lineup.
11. Mateo Joseph
After a strong showing against the Blues, Mateo Joseph might finally outperform the Bournemouth loanee in terms of success.
Given that Piroe did not play well enough against Chelsea to warrant starting the line, and because Bamford may not be fully fit due to minor calf and ankle injuries, the 20-year-old prodigy may get the start.
Leeds may already have their next Mateo Joseph in “class” academy teen
If the Whites can find this gifted young player, they can put the recent loss of Sean McGurk behind them.
The England U20 international could now aim for his first Championship goal on Saturday after helping his team score twice that evening with assists from Anthony.