Leeds United host Brighton and Hove Albion in a crucial game at the top of the Championship on Saturday.
Brighton manager Chris Hughton
Automatic-promotion chasers Brighton travel to Leeds on Saturday evening who themselves will be looking to consolidate their position inside the play-off places in the Championship.
The two teams have, unsurprisingly, had their standout performers this season. But which members of Chris Hughton’s and Garry Monk’s respective squads would feature in a combined XI?
Here is HITC Sport’s view…
GK: David Stockdale
The Seagulls stopper has enjoyed another excellent year. While Rob Green has done well at Leeds, Brighton boast the best defensive record in the division so Stockdale deserves his place.
RB: Luke Ayling
In one of the tougher calls, Luke Ayling has edged out Brighton stalwart Bruno. Ayling has been brilliant for Leeds this season, and will be a big miss this weekend.
CB: Lewis Dunk
Like Stockdale, Lewis Dunk deserves an inclusion due to the side’s superb record this term. Separating Dunk from Shane Duffy is a brutally tough call.
CB: Pontus Jansson
Pontus Jansson
Pontus Jansson has been a revelation at Leeds this term, proving influential at the back and causing several problems in attack.
LB: Charlie Taylor
On his day, Charlie Taylor is arguably the division’s best full-back, so gets into the team ahead of Brighton’s solid options on the left-hand side.
CM: Dale Stephens
Dale Stephens has been such an influential figure in the middle of the park for the Seagulls. Once again, he narrowly gets the nod ahead of his teammate Steve Sidwell.
CM: Liam Bridcutt
Liam Bridcutt has been an excellent leader for Leeds in recent weeks, and of course, he knows what it takes to get into both of these teams – though the Brighton one has changed vastly since his days there.
RW: Anthony Knockaert
Brighton’s Anthony Knockaert
Anthony Knockaert is arguably one of the Championship’s best in any position. He deserves to be playing at the highest level next season, having scored 13 and contributed seven assists.
LW: Pablo Hernandez
In a slightly more unfamiliar position is Pablo Hernandez. When the Spaniard is on form, there are few better and the idea of having Hernandez and Knockaert patrolling the wings is a mouth-watering prospect.
ST: Glenn Murray
Glenn Murray has been lethal this year, scoring 18 times for Hughton’s men. As good as Sam Baldock has been, the bottom line is Murray has scored a considerably greater number of goals.
ST: Chris Wood
There is no way that Chris Wood could be left out having scored more goals than anyone else in the Championship this season. His 22 goals have been vital to Leeds.
Leeds United’s Chris Wood
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