Leeds United take on relegated Stoke City in the Championship this afternoon…
Leeds United kick off their Championship season with a home game against recently-relegated Stoke City, as Marcelo Bielsa makes his bow in English football.
The Whites pulled off a major coup by landing ‘El Loco’ Bielsa as their new manager this summer, and the Argentinian has picked an interesting team this afternoon.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell starts in goal despite the signing of Jamal Blackman, with Gaetano Berardi, Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper and Barry Douglas seemingly across the back four.
Mateusz Klich and Kalvin Phillips will start in midfield, with Samu Saiz joining them but given more license to go forward and support the attack as Leeds’ chief playmaker.
That leaves Pablo Hernandez on the left and Ezgjan Alioski on the right, with Kemar Roofe leading the line despite the arrival of Patrick Bamford days ago.
Blackman and Bamford are both on the bench alongside fellow new boys Jack Harrison and Lewis Baker, with Douglas the only new signing to start, whilst star defender Pontus Jansson is also a substitute, alongside Stuart Dallas and Tyler Roberts.
Meanwhile, Stoke are the favourites to win the Championship title this season, and Gary Rowett will be hoping to get off to the perfect start this afternoon.
The Potters have kept most of their squad together, and that is shown by England international Jack Butland starting in goal against his former club today.
A strong defence is led by Ryan Shawcross and Bruno Martins Indi, with Moritz Bauer and Erik Pieters at right back and left back respectively.
Joe Allen and Oghenekaro Etebo appear to be in central midfield, with Badou Ndiaye ahead of them, whilst Tom Ince and James McClean will add support for lone striker Benik Afobe.
New signing Ashley Williams is on the bench, alongside Adam Federici, Tom Edwards, Darren Fletcher, Peter Crouch, Mame Biram Diouf and Bojan.
Leeds lineup
Starting:
- Bailey Peacock-Farrell
- Luke Ayling
- Gaetano Berardi
- Liam Cooper
- Barry Douglas
- Ezgjan Alioski
- Pablo Hernández
- Mateusz Klich
- Kalvin Phillips
- Samuel Sáiz
- Kemar Roofe
Substitutes: Jamal Blackman, Pontus Jansson, Lewis Baker, Stuart Dallas, Jack Harrison, Patrick Bamford, Tyler Roberts.
Stoke lineup
Starting:
- Jack Butland
- Moritz Bauer
- Bruno Martins Indi
- Erik Pieters
- Ryan Shawcross
- Joe Allen
- Tom Ince
- James McClean
- Papa N’Diaye
- Etebo Oghenekaro
- Benik Afobe
Substitutes: Adam Federici, Tom Edwards, Ashley Williams, Darren Fletcher, Peter Crouch, Mame Biram Diouf, Bojan Krkić.
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