Leeds travel to Ewood Park to take on Blackburn this weekend.
Marcelo Bielsa is set to welcome back a number of his crocked Leeds United stars ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off against Blackburn Rovers, as he eyes the place at the top of the Championship.
Leeds currently sit in third spot but can go top with a win, as West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United play later on in the day. But Bielsa will face a difficult test in newly-promoted Blackburn.
Indeed, Tony Mowbray’s side have started well after gaining promotion back to the second tier, losing just two of their 12 Championship outings. However, they have only tasted victory four times.
Leeds will be buoyant after Kemar Roofe managed 70 minutes last Friday, while Gaetano Berardi managed the entire 90. Both scored, as Jamal Blackman, Lewis Baker, Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton also appeared.
Roofe, who began the season in explosive form with four goals in six games, is expected to return to the starting line-up ahead of Tyler Roberts who has impressed in his void, while Luke Ayling’s suspension is likely to see Berardi start.
Pablo Hernandez is also expected to be fit but after failing to feature for the Under-23 side last week, it is likely the Spaniard will start from the bench come Saturday.
Here, we think Leeds will make three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Brentford prior to the international break, with Berardi coming in at left-back to replace Stuart Dallas while Shackleton starts over the suspended Ayling.
Dallas, a £750,000 signing (90Min) from Brentford back in 2015, has just been away with Northern Ireland in Austria and Bosnia & Herzegovina, and will be tired from travelling. He also played out of position last time out at left-back.
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