Leeds United pay Oakwell a visit on Saturday to face Barnsley as the English Football League Championship enters its 27th round, and the Whites would need to pick up a win on the road in order to keep hold of their spot in the playoff zone.
Garry Monk charges have remained unbeaten in their last 6 league games – winning 5 and drawing 1, and such impressive streak is needed in order to edge them closer to Premier League return in years.
Leeds narrowly won the first leg between both sides in October by 2 – 1 and would also hope to bag all 3 points on Saturday to keep their promotion dreams alive.
Monk’s starting lineup could be like this:
Formation : 4-2-3-1
GK – Green
The veteran 37-year-old shot-stopper has been the first choice all season and should continue in goal on Saturday.
Rob has kept some clean sheets of recent and would have to be on top of his game against the league’s 2nd highest goalscoring side in order to get a favourable result against the hosts.
LB – Berardi
With Taylor still a doubt after failing to recover from an Achilles knock, the Swiss fullback would very much likely continue at left-back on Saturday having been deployed there in the last few games.
CB – Ayling
Jansson’s 2-match ban following 10 yellow cards this season ends on Saturday, and Ayling would continue at the heart of defence in his place having played there against Derby.
CB – Bartley
The English centre-half has played all but one of Leeds’ Championship games this term and is definitely getting another nod for weekend’s clash.
RB – Coyle
With Ayling likely to get deployed to centre defence, the young English fullback should be getting his 2nd Championship start of the season following his debut last weekend against Derby.
CM – Vieira
The young Brazilian defensive midfielder has been in and out of the first team this term, but he played a full game against Derby last weekend in what was his 12th league start of the season.
He would likely make a start against Barnsley.
CM – Bridcutt
The Scottish defensive midfielder has been a regular starter of recent and has been Monk’s first-choice in the deep midfield.
He should be making another start on Saturday as he continues to impress in order to break into the first team.
AML – Doukara
The winger has been deployed as a striker of recent but should continue in the left wing following Wood’s return to the lineup.
AMC – Pablo Hernández
The Spaniard has shaken off his recent injury woes and has returned to top form, with his assist against Derby gifting Leeds all 3 points last weekend.
Should be making his 15th start of the Championship season on Saturday.
AMR – Sacko
The Malian could be making a return to the lineup on Saturday after an injury ruled him out of the last 2 games.
He has been one of Leeds’ best players this term.
CF – Wood
The league’s 3rd highest goalscorer should look to add to his 14 strikes on Saturday after returning to form following recent injuries.