Leeds United take on Leicester City hoping to reach the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup.
Leeds take on Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup, hoping to reach the quarter-final of the competition for the second year running by knocking out yet another Premier League side after beating Burnley in the previous round.
While Thomas Christiansen would have been forgiven for making barely any changes from the side that beat Bristol City at the weekend – as he may want to capitalise on the momentum that came from the win, and playing a team of Leicester’s calibre may normally tempt him to try and play his strongest possible side – the fact that they face Sheffield United in the Championship on Friday night will surely influence his team selection.
Christiansen may decide to try his luck and pick a strong team in the hope that it helps with momentum going into the clash with the Blades, but we are predicting as many as seven changes to the team that faced the Robins on Saturday.
Firstly, Felix Wiedwald may have assumed the role of cup goalkeeper now that Andy Lonergan has taken the number one spot in the league. The cup game may be an ideal chance for the German to get some confidence back after his recent form.
In defence, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Pontus Jansson replace Gaetano Berardi and Matthew Pennington respectively. Borthwick-Jackson is surely facing a massive week with Berardi suspended, as with Vurnon Anita also in the ranks, he cannot let any chance that comes his way pass him by.
Similarly for Jansson, he needs to impress if given a chance, with his own recent admission regarding his form and Pennington and Liam Cooper excelling at Ashton Gate.
In midfield, Ronaldo Vieira and Eunan O’Kane keep their places, while Mateusz Klich replaces Kalvin Phillips, who was fantastic at the weekend.
It is all an new front three for the Whites, with Kemar Roofe and Pablo Hernandez playing alongside Jay-Roy Grot in the middle. Grot’s physicality may see him prove useful against a strong Leicester defence, while Roofe and Hernandez will be looking to provide those moments of class that Leeds will need if they are to cause an upset.
With that in mind, here is the team we are – admittedly, tentatively – expecting to face the Foxes…
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
