HITC Sport have taken a very early look at predicting the Leeds United XI to face Aston Villa on October 2 in what will be the Elland Road outfit’s first Premier League match in 29 days.
Jesse Marsch’s men have not taken to the pitch since losing 5-2 at Brentford on September 3. The Premier League postponed Leeds’ home fixture against Nottingham Forest and visit to Manchester United after the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8.
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Leeds had started the season in solid shape with two wins and two draws over their initial six fixtures. The West Yorkshire club also struck 10 goals, with Rodrigo hitting the most on four. But he missed the Bees clash with an injury while Patrick Bamford played 45 minutes.
Now, Rodrigo has to wait until Aston Villa visit Leeds on October 2 to return to the starting XI due to the international break. Bamford – who is yet to score this season – will also eye the Villans encounter to make just his third start of the top-flight term after a groin injury.
Yet due to Leeds’, unplanned and inconvenient, four-week break in Premier League games, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports Marsch could have a fully-fit squad to pick his XI to face Aston Villa from – with several of his recent absentees in line to recover during September.
Of course, some could suffer setbacks while other stars could sustain issues whilst they are on international duty or in training. But HITC Sport have taken a very early look at who can make a predicted Leeds XI to take on Aston Villa when the Premier League term resumes…
Illan Meslier (GK): Marsch not mulling change in predicted Leeds XI vs Aston Villa
Marsch will not be considering changing the goalkeeper for his Leeds’ XI against Aston Villa from Illan Meslier, barring an unforeseen issue. The 22-year-old has started all six of Leeds’ Premier League fixtures so far this season, and will be eager to add to his only clean sheet.
Rasmus Kristensen (RB): Denmark call-up a positive sign for Leeds XI vs Aston Villa
Rasmus Kristensen suffered a minor issue prior to the international break, which was likely to keep him sidelined for three weeks. Denmark also named the right-back in their Nations League plans, suggesting Marsch’s £10m summer signing from RB Salzburg will be fit soon.
Robin Koch (CB): Marsch has defensive dilemma in predicted Leeds XI vs Aston Villa
March could face a dilemma over his defensive options to meet Aston Villa, but HITC Sport predicts Leeds will field Robin Koch over Diego Llorente. The German captained the Whites at Brentford and has been a consistently impressive performer for much of the term so far.
Liam Cooper (CB): International break offers chance to force way back from injury
Liam Cooper will be determined to use the international break as his chance to forge a way back into Leeds’ starting XI. The 31-year-old has not played a second in the Premier League this season, but returned from a calf injury to take a seat on the bench away to Brentford.
Junior Firpo (LB): Defender could make return to Leeds XI after international break
Junior Firpo will also strive to use the international break to his benefit at Thorp Arch. The left-back suffered a knee injury during Leeds’ first pre-season game this summer and is yet to feature. But no one has cemented a claim to be above him in Marsch’s pecking order.
Tyler Adams (CM): American is proving to be money well spent to replace Phillips
Marsch had the unenviable task of replacing a talismanic player in Kalvin Phillips this year. But Tyler Adams has proven to be money well spent since Leeds paid RB Leipzig £20m for the American, who is a constant issue with endless grit and a strong defensive awareness.
Marc Roca (CM): If Adams is money well spent, Roca could be a real bargain
If Adams is proving to be money well spent for Leeds, Marc Roca could be a real bargain at an initial £10m from Bayern Munich. He has shown a lovely passing range since arriving at Elland Road, helped bring the best from Adams’ game and offers leadership in the middle.
Luis Sinisterra (RM): Raphinha heir will be desperate to kick on after the break
Luis Sinisterra will be desperate to kick on and show why Marsch considered the £21m ace from Feyenoord to be Raphinha’s heir. The Colombian winger ended August on a high with his first Premier League goal in his first start against Everton and struck again at Brentford.
Brenden Aaronson (CAM): Inconsistent but stays in predicted Leeds XI vs Aston Villa
Brenden Aaronson got off to a very promising start after joining Leeds from RB Salzburg for £25m in May. He was the Whites’ most dangerous forward threat against Wolves and was the star against Chelsea. Yet he also struggled beyond some neat touches in other outings.
Jack Harrison (LM): Winger will be eager to rediscover lethal start to the season
Jack Harrison will be eager to rediscover his lethal start to the Premier League season after the international break. The forward offered one assist during each of his first three games and scored past Chelsea. Yet he has not hit any since and had just 45 minutes at Brentford.
Patrick Bamford (ST): Marsch to pick Bamford over injury-free Rodrigo vs Aston Villa
While a four-week gap between games inconvenienced Leeds’ season, it provided Bamford with a chance to improve his fitness. He has played just 170 minutes in four Premier League games, but will see the Aston Villa clash as a chance to now get his career back on track.
Early injuries hindering his campaign will have irritated the 29-year-old, having only played nine top-flight games last term. Yet the one-cap England ace is Marsch’s primary striker, so should stay above Rodrigo – returning from a shoulder dislocation – in their pecking order.
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