Leeds United’s unbeaten start will be tested against Swansea City on Saturday.
Championship leaders Leeds United will face their toughest test yet when they come up against Swansea City at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.
The Welsh club are level on points with Marcelo Bielsa’s men after five matches, and with both teams being in midweek League Cup action, there could potentially be further changes to their starting XI’s as they play their third game in a week – Leeds were knocked out by Stoke on Tuesday and the Swans brushed aside Cambridge on Wednesday night.
Nonetheless, from that EFL Cup encounter, Bielsa could bring back the likes of striker Patrick Bamford, defender Liam Cooper and playmaker Pablo Hernandez.
Whilst Helder Costa did well to get on the scoresheet against Stoke, Jack Harrison might start and Hernandez, who produced a masterclass at the Bet365 Stadium last Saturday, is near-on undroppable at this moment in time. His assist for Stuart Dallas’s goal is proof why he is one of the best players in the division.
Eddie Nketiah is also knocking on Bielsa’s door, but could his manager keep him hungry and bring back Bamford, who has had a strong start to the season?
Leeds’ first-choice centre-back pairing of Liam Cooper and Ben White could also start, as Leeds will be tested against a Swansea team that has scored 11 goals from their first five matches.
Whilst Bielsa changed up his fullbacks for the midweek clash, he might return to the duo that scored in the Championship clash last Saturday – Stuart Dallas and Ezgjan Alioski.
It would be a surprise if Bielsa doesn’t freshen it up in those positions because it is an area that requires very hard work because of what is expected of the individuals who play there.
Either way, Leeds will face a stern test, especially from a defensive standpoint and if they can secure all three points here then it would be a serious message to the rest of the league.
Whilst it doesn’t prove much yet, it will bode well for future confidence and belief that promotion can be achieved by the club this season.
Here is how Leeds could potentially line-up against Swansea at the weekend:
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