Farke drops Meslier in predicted Leeds lineup vs Southampton

The possible starting XI that the German boss could select against the Saints.

Leeds United are preparing for their last match of the regular Championship season as they host Southampton at Elland Road on Saturday.

The Whites know that they need a minor miracle to secure automatic promotion back to the Premier League this weekend, as two results – including their own – need to go their way.

Ipswich Town have to lose to Huddersfield Town, at Portman Road, and Daniel Farke’s team needs to beat the Saints to give themselves a chance of finishing second.

Any other sets of results will leave Leeds in the play-offs and needing to fight it out over three games to secure an instant return to the top-flight.

The Yorkshire-based outfit were hammered 4-0 by QPR at Loftus Road last time out in the division, and Farke could look to make some changes to his starting XI from that match.

With this in mind, here is FFC’s predicted Leeds lineup to take to the field against Southampton this weekend…

1Karl Darlow

With the club’s fate all but sealed, and a play-off campaign pending, this could be the perfect time to give Karl Darlow an opportunity to impress.

Leeds need their players in form for the play-offs, due to how important these one-off games are, and Illan Meslier has been in poor form between the sticks.

The French shot-stopper has received a match rating of 3/10 from Football Insider in each of the last two games, against Middlesbrough and QPR – conceding seven goals in that time, and has conceded 3.88 more goals than expected based on the xG against him in the league overall.

FFC urged Farke to finally drop the 24-year-old dud and that is what the manager should do for this match, bringing the experienced Darlow in as his replacement against Southampton.

2Sam Byram

Ahead of this game, Farke revealed that Connor Roberts, who is on loan from Premier League side Burnley, is a major doubt through injury for this game.

This means that Sam Byram – signed on a free from Norwich last summer – could continue at right-back, with Archie Gray keeping his place in the middle of the park.

3Joe Rodon

Joe Rodon could make his last appearance in a regular league match at Elland Road with a start against the Saints on Saturday.

The Welsh titan is currently on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and, whilst the Whites are reportedly keen to sign him permanently, it remains to be seen whether or not he will be at the club next season.