Leeds United face Sheffield Wednesday in a crucial Yorkshire derby towards the top of the Championship on Saturday.
Leeds United host Sheffield Wednesday in a clash where bragging rights are not the only thing up for grabs, but Saturday’s victor will also pick up a priceless win in the race for the Championship play-off places.
But what would a combined XI consisting of players from the Whites and the Owls look like? With both teams’ successes largely coming from their teamwork rather than marquee names, good cases could undoubtedly be made for a number of the players who do not make this team.
But here is our team…
GK: Keiren Westwood
Rob Green has impressed this term, and Keiren Westwood has arguably not been quite as good as last year, but the latter shades it as the standard he set last term was so high that it is baffling that a Premier League club did not come calling, so it is hardly a surprise that he has not been quite as good.
RB: Luke Ayling
When Leeds signed Luke Ayling in the summer, it seemed an odd deal given Gaetano Berardi and Lewie Coyle’s places in the squad. However, the defender has surely been the Whites’ best permanent signing of the season, and thus edges ahead of Wednesday’s Jack Hunt.
CB: Pontus Jansson
Pontus Jansson
Pontus Jansson has arguably been the best centre-back Leeds have had for years – which perhaps is not saying much – but his performances have already seen him earn cult-hero status. He also poses a big threat going forward.
CB: Tom Lees
The previous statement about Jansson’s quality in comparison with Leeds’ recent defenders may be true, but that is not to take anything away from Tom Lees’ current form. The former Whites man has taken his game to a completely new level at Hillsborough and it would undoubtedly be a major blow if he is not fit for Saturday’s game.
LB: Gaetano Berardi
It is perhaps the most controversial selection so far to pick Gaetano Berardi ahead of Charlie Taylor and Daniel Pudil but his recent form has been extremely impressive. Meanwhile, Pudil is another Owls man who probably has not been quite as good as he was last year.
DM: Sam Hutchinson
Sam Hutchinson
Sam Hutchinson would be the ideal man to sit in front of the back four and give them additional support. He has surely enjoyed the best form of his career so far this term, and his battling qualities means that he edges out the likes of Liam Bridcutt, Ronaldo Vieira and Eunan O’Kane.
CM: Kieran Lee
It has been another excellent year for one of Wednesday’s unsung heroes, Kieran Lee. His injury has arguably been a key reason why Carlos Carvalhal’s men have not looked quite as strong in recent weeks and his absence will be a big blow to the Owls this weekend.
CM: Pablo Hernandez
Pablo Hernandez has enjoyed an excellent first season at Leeds, scoring four and contributing seven assists in the Championship. His creativity and skill would surely make him the perfect addition to this three-man midfield.
ST: Fernando Forestieri
Fernando Forestieri is Sheffield Wednesday’s leading goalscorer with 10 goals in the league this term. He continues to impress and his ability to play in wide areas would make him particularly useful in this fantasy team.
ST: Chris Wood
Chris Wood
Only one player has scored more Championship goals than Chris Wood this season. The New Zealander has 19 strikes to his name this term, at least 14 more than any of his teammates.
ST: Jordan Rhodes
Jordan Rhodes’ Wednesday career is still in its infancy – he has made five appearances for the club following his January move – but he has still scored one and bagged an assist also. If he begins to really find form, Wednesday will surely be favourites to go one better than last season where they were denied promotion in the play-off final.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
