Leeds United are about to get the acid test of their…

Leeds United are about to get the acid test of their transfer window decision

Do Cooper or Bamford make it?

Three of the six absentees Leeds United had coming out of last weekend’s Southampton draw remain out, one has been confirmed available, but two have a question mark hanging over them. Liam Cooper has not played in any matches since Scotland’s June internationals, but looked good in training on Friday according to Jesse Marsch.

Barnsley in the EFL Cup on Wednesday looks like a better way to bed the captain back in after so long on the sidelines, but what of Patrick Bamford? The striker effectively ruled himself out of the game on the club’s podcast, but Marsch remind upbeat on how he had looked in training too, deciding to leave a decision until Saturday.

How is Bamford replaced?

If we assume Bamford will make the bench at best this afternoon, how does Marsch then look to replace him in the starting XI? Daniel James was the man Marsch turned to in the first instance last weekend and the Wales international may be ripe for a right-sided berth at Elland Road today.

Rodrigo’s goal-scoring exploits make him well-set for the tip of the attack with Brenden Aaronson, effective as a central force in Austria, playing behind him. Luis Sinisterra and Joe Gelhardt are Marsch’s alternatives to James. Whichever way Marsch goes, this is going to be another acid test of how the team will perform without Bamford and could dictate the wider appetite for transfers before this window closes.

Marsch to learn last week’s lessons?

The Whites boss admitted in Friday’s press conference he had perhaps erred in leaving his Southampton changes so late last weekend. The flow of Sunday’s match will, of course, dictate what is required of Marsch on the touchline, but it will be interesting to see how he deploys his substitutes.

Two weeks ago, they proved a masterstroke in winning the season opener, and then last weekend they were badly lacking just as the hosts were turning the match around. Marsch will have options to call upon.

Prolong the Chelsea record

Chelsea have never won consecutive matches at Elland Road. The 3-0 win three months ago was preceded by that 0-0 draw with Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites in March 2021.

There was a 5-1 win in the EFL Cup in December 2012, but that was preceded by a 1-1 draw in the top-flight season Leeds went down. A hollow record, but can Leeds keep spoiling the Blues’ party?

Tuchel vs Marsch

It’s fair to say Thomas Tuchel has previous based on last weekend’s histrionics at Stamford Bridge with Antonio Conte. That red card was followed by a touchline ban which, conveniently, has been suspended pending written reasons from The Football Association.

Therefore, at the time of writing, he is expected to be opposite Marsch on the touchline at 2pm. The American’s comments about it being wrong if the German were to be in the dugout will only add some sauce to the proceedings.

Marsch’s own record for touchline tantrums should make it a watchable affair off the pitch as well as on it.