Sam Allardyce could be about to deploy Leeds United's…

Sam Allardyce could be about to deploy Leeds United's best weapon in this dogfight vs Newcastle

Put Koch back in?

Robin Koch was the one selection choice which jarred at Manchester City for Leeds United last week. It is understood the German international had missed some training last week, which is why he was left out.

Sam Allardyce is understood to be very keen on only selecting those players who have been involved in the majority of training across the preceding week. Koch, who has played more minutes outfield than anyone else in the squad this term, was sighted in the club’s training video this week and could come in for Rasmus Kristensen.

Three in the middle again?

The shape at City worked well given the circumstances and Allardyce did acknowledge having a midfielder on either side of Adam Forshaw helped him at Etihad Stadium. At Elland Road, there will be a far greater onus on attacking enterprise given what’s at stake.

Will Allardyce be tempted to go with an outright attacking midfielder or could Weston McKennie be given the licence to break forward from a deeper slot?

Elland Road meets Allardyce

Patience may have been running out with Javi Gracia’s Leeds and a directors’ box which hosted Victor Orta, but Allardyce’s arrival should reset that angst somewhat. The players need to turn up and deliver, but Elland Road will be rocking for the penultimate home game of the season, spurred on by what’s sure to be a vocal away following.

How will Allardyce shackle and use that 12th man? Will his calls for the return of Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds bear fruit? Elland Road could be Allardyce's biggest weapon this month.

The early bird catches the worm

As the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, Leeds have that first, earliest opportunity to immediately hit back at those who leapfrogged them on Monday. Everton and Nottingham Forest delivered hammer blows to the Whites and consigned them to 19th place coming into this weekend.

As challenging as it may be facing third-placed Newcastle United, this is a big chance to return to 16th in the table and put the psychological ball very much back in their rivals’ courts. Leicester City host Liverpool on Monday, Everton host Manchester City on Sunday and Forest visit Chelsea later today.

Radrizzani returns?

Andrea Radrizzani was spotted in the club’s training footage from Thorp Arch this week, which suggests he may be at today’s game. It will be the Italian’s first appearance at Elland Road since Gracia’s sacking and that ill-advised Twitter message to a supporter during the Bournemouth loss.

While the owner acted on Gracia and Orta’s roles in this current plight, many fans still point their fingers at the ultimate decision-maker. His reception in the stadium today will be worth monitoring.

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