Will Jackson
Leeds United were toothless at Chelsea last time out and that’s no exaggeration. The Whites struggled to make a dent in the Londoners’ backline all afternoon at Stamford Bridge and their best chance fell to Illan Meslier in the closing moments of the contest.
It was a tough watch and Javi Gracia has been working hard this week to make the necessary improvements, but I believe changes to his starting XI are a must. Fortunately, it seems Luis Sinisterra and Rodrigo are pushing to be involved and if he is ready to play, I’d be tempted to start the latter immediately, given his importance to the side.
Rodrigo hasn’t played since injuring his ankle in the win over Accrington Stanley in January, but his eye for goal and ability to take a chance make him absolutely pivotal. He’s the man Leeds have been missing the most and his return will surely give everyone around him a huge boost.
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I can’t stress enough that I would only start him if he is ready and 100 per cent fit, though, and the last thing Leeds need is the striker suffering a setback. I’d bring Wilfried Gnonto back into the side to play on Rodrigo’s left shoulder and he’ll surely be fired up after being dropped last time around and Crysencio Summerville gets the nod for me on the right.
Behind the attacking line, I favour a midfield three with Marc Roca stepping into the middle to add a little bit more solidity and nous. United were overrun a little against the Blues and I thought Weston McKennie, in particular failed to show his best.
However, the three man midfield gives him the freedom to step forward in possession and provide support for the attacking line, just as he did against Fulham in the cup at Craven Cottage. For me, it’s as you were at the back, with Max Wober continuing to partner Robin Koch, while Junior Firpo gets the nod, too.
Will’s XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Wober, Firpo; McKennie, Adams, Roca; Summerville, Rodrigo, Gnonto.
Joe Mewis
The backline is starting to pick itself, especially if Liam Cooper is still a doubt. Meslier obviously gets the nod between the sticks, with the Koch-Wober partnership easily looking like the best combination in the heart of defence. Luke Ayling’s resurgence has been a bright spot in a dark few weeks, while Junior Firpo’s recent momentum appears to have settled the left-back debate, at least for now.
In midfield, Tyler Adams is another no-brainer and Weston McKennie has shown me enough to keep him the starting line-up where he can look to pass between the lines and break forward. Ball retention and neat passing will be key against this switched-on Brighton side, so Marc Roca gets my final spot, alongside Adams.
Now for the tricky part of this weekend’s selection. Gracia’s coyness when it comes to injury updates means that we’re still somewhat in the dark over the fitness of Luis Sinisterra and Rodrigo, so I’ll get my pessimistic head on and say they’ll have to start on the bench so not to risk further setbacks ahead of the run-in. Bamford’s absence last weekend was due to minor knock, so I’m going to back him to come good and use his movement and nous against an experienced Seagulls backline. Wilfried Gnotno and Crysencio Summerville on the flanks should be able to cause problems and with the squad looking like it’s returning to something like full-strength, we have options on the bench.
Joe’s XI: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Wober, Firpo; Adams, Roca, McKennie, Summerville, Bamford, Gnonto
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