Beren Cross
Leeds United’s Everton trip is one of those matches where it feels very hard to justify any kind of changes.
The Whites may have only picked up one point on Wednesday night, but their fight and resolve was impressive, as was their attacking play, where much of the post-Newcastle United ire was directed.
The mood in the camp after a draw like that means it seems silly to make changes for the sake of it.
You want the team to build upon that momentum and when the players available to the head coach is unchanged too it effectively makes the decisions for you.
The one rationale for making changes could be the tight turnaround time between the matches, but this is arguably the fittest squad in the league and they are well rested after the recent international break.
Adam Forshaw is at the front of the queue of those players trying to break into the XI and he will have an extra incentive on Saturday as it’s a visit to his former stomping ground.
Robin Koch was decent enough at Villa Park, despite the three goals conceded by the visitors, but I still prefer Forshaw in that deeper pocket.
The narrative of his return to Merseyside pushes the decision through for me, but it’s a coin-flip.
Beren's XI: Meslier; Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Dallas; Forshaw; Raphinha, Klich, Rodrigo, Harrison; James.
Joe Donnohue
Daniel James has scored four goals for Leeds United, two of which have been headers. Nobody was expecting that at roughly the halfway stage of his first season, to say the least.
Marcelo Bielsa didn't want credit for sticking by the diminutive forward against Aston Villa, but he will certainly be feeling vindicated after James's double in midweek. On another night, he might have had a hat-trick if not for a lick of paint on the Holte End crossbar.
While the popular choice in attack may still be youngster Joe Gelhardt, it is fairly clear Bielsa still envisages the 19-year-old as an impact player off the bench.
For most, including myself, James continues in the number nine role. It would be rather harsh to drop the Welshman against Everton following a brace three days earlier.
Junior Firpo's availability was set to provide a selection issue, however Bielsa's revelation he will require an additional week before he is back in contention, means Stuart Dallas surely continues at left-back.
There is still a debate over who starts in midfield, though. Adam Forshaw was a late substitution against Villa, replacing Mateusz Klich, although the Pole has probably done enough to retain his place over Forshaw in recent weeks. Perhaps an earlier introduction for Forshaw versus Everton would represent a happy middle-ground.
Rodrigo's midweek performance ensures he remains in the preferred starting XI. Five chances created, involvement in all three Leeds goals and one assist is a good return for 90 minutes' work. Supporters were largely in agreement it was one of his more impactful United displays.
Despite the three goals conceded at Villa Park, Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk have done enough to keep their place, and Robin Koch, too, as the defensive midfield lynchpin.
Raphinha's off-night is hardly likely to prompt calls for the Brazilian to be dropped. If he returns to a level of performance we know he is capable of against Everton, all will be forgiven.
Joe's XI: Meslier; Ayling, Struijk, Llorente, Dallas; Koch; Raphinha, Klich, Rodrigo, Harrison; James.
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