Predicted Leeds United Lineup To Face Preston North End In EFL Championship
Leeds United will take on Preston North End in their second game of the EFL Championship, at the Elland Road, on Saturday afternoon.
Things have gotten off to a promising start under new boss Thomas Christiansen as Leeds have notched up two wins in two games already, defeating Bolton Wanderers 3-2 in the season opener and following it up with a 4-1 thrashing of Port Vale in the EFL Cup second round tie. The Whites will be hoping to carry this momentum forward against Preston, over the weekend.
Team News
Defender Pontus Jansson is back and will be available for selection after serving out his suspension from previous season. Gaetano Berardi and Matthew Pennington, who were taken off injured during Leeds’ season opener against Bolton Wanderers, are likely to miss out.
Manager: Thomas Christiansen
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Felix Wiedwald (GK)
The new manager seems to trust the German stopper and has handed him with starts in both the games this season and is likely to stick with him for the weekend as well.
Luke Ayling (RB)
The 25-year old is an irreplaceable part of the team and will return to his favoured the right-hand side of the defence, after playing as a centre-back against Port Vale.
Pontus Jansson (CB)
The Swede is back after suspension and is likely to be thrust straight into action by Christiansen.
Liam Cooper (CB)
Jansson will be joined by the club captain Liam Cooper at the centre of the defence. He will replace youngster Conor Shaughnessy, who started the cup tie against Port Vale.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (LB)
With Berardi a doubt, the Manchester United loanee should start again at left-back, after impressing on his debut in the midweek cup tie.
Eunan O’Kane (CM)
Was rested for the game against Port Vale, but is expected to return to the scheme of things against Preston, after a strong start to the season.
Kalvin Phillips (CM)
The hero of the win against Bolton, Philipps too wasn’t involved in the cup tie and is sure to come back into the starting XI on Saturday.
Kemar Roofe (RW)
Another player who was given an off for the Cup game, Roofe is likely to return to the starting line-up, replacing Hadi Sacko.
Samu Saiz (CAM)
The Spaniard scored a brilliant hat-trick against Port Vale in the midweek game and that should be enough for him to start the game on Saturday ahead of Pablo Hernandez.
Ezgjan Alioski (LW)
Another new signing in the line-up Alioski is looking promising and had a great game on Wednesday. After having missed a few chances in the first game, he will want to get off the mark on Saturday.
Chris Wood (ST)
Spearheading the attack will be last season’s top scorer Chris Wood. The Kiwi international scored last Sunday against Bolton and will be keen on adding more to his tally early in the season.