Predicted Leeds United XI for play-off final against Southampton as Daniel Farke faces biggest selection yet
Daniel Farke faces selecting his most important Leeds United starting XI to date on Sunday.
Farke is set to round off his first season in charge at Elland Road with a play-off final against Southampton at Wembley, as he looks to secure his third Championship promotion of his career.
After such a resounding 4-0 win over Norwich City in the semi-final second leg, Farke will be reluctant to change too much.
However, they do come up against a Southampton side who were the one and only team to complete a league double over them in the regular season.
Unfortunately, Leeds will be without Patrick Bamford once again tomorrow afternoon, though could welcome Sam Byram back into the squad after his injury.
With that in mind, here is our predicted XI for Leeds‘ first trip to Wembley since 2008.
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier made a ‘world class’ save to deny Josh Sargent in the second leg nine days ago and keeps his place in goal. He says he has been doing his homework on penalties this week ahead of the final.
Defence
Archie Gray started at right-back against Norwich for the first time since a 0-0 draw against Sunderland on April 9. Ben Parker says Gray produced a ‘special’ performance in that win and starts there again tomorrow.
Elsewhere, the rest of the defence pretty much picks itself, with Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu starting together at centre-back ahead of Liam Cooper, who will be hoping to get on for his final Leeds appearance.
Junior Firpo had a difficult afternoon against the Saints on the final day but has looked focused and assured in the play-offs, so of course starts at left-back.
Midfield
Ilia Gruev’s brilliant free-kick got the scoring underway against Norwich and with that, he became the first Leeds midfielder to score in the Championship all season.
He will start in a midfield two alongside Glen Kamara, whose ball retention skills will be vital against a possession-heavy Southampton side.
Attack
With Leeds likely to see less of the ball at Wembley, much of the onus will be on how effectively they can counter-attack to win the game.
Georginio Rutter, Willy Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville’s pace will all therefore be vital, as they again get the nod over Dan James.
Joel Piroe produced his best performance in a Leeds shirt last time out and continues up front in the absence of Bamford. He netted Leeds’ only goal on the final day against Southampton.
