Sam Allardyce has made three changes to his Leeds United line-up to take on Newcastle United at Elland Road this afternoon. The Whites know that a win would be enough to take them out of the Premier League’s bottom three, for a couple of hours at the very least.
Defeat, though, and they risk being cut even further adrift by the end of the weekend, with just two games left to play. Allardyce has come to the end of his first full week in charge of Leeds and he has been encouraged with what he’s seen so far.
Joel Robles gets the nod once more after replacing Illan Meslier between the sticks last time out. Robin Koch returns to the line-up, but it remains to be seen where he will be asked to play in Allardyce’s 4-3-3 system.
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The German may even be asked to play as a holding midfielder, with Rasmus Kristensen potentially keeping his spot as the Whites right-sided centre-back. Sam Greenwood comes into the line-up and Weston McKennie complete the three-man midfield.
Patrick Bamford keeps his spot in the side but Rodrigo also comes into the line-up and it seems as though the Spaniard could be asked to play on the flank, with Jack Harrison on the other side.
Adam Forshaw, Marc Roca and Wilfried Gnonto drop out of the starting line-up to the bench.
Leeds United: Joel Robles; Luke Ayling, Rasmus Kristensen, Max Wober, Junior Firpo; Robin Koch, Sam Greenwood, Weston McKennie; Jack Harrison, Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo.
Bench: Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Adam Forshaw, Marc Roca, Brenden Aaronson, Georginio Rutter, Wilfried Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray
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