Leeds United XI for Newcastle as Ao Tanaka starts and Jaka Bijol drops out | OneFootball

Daniel Farke is expected to restore Leeds United’s strongest side for Monday’s trip to Newcastle, with James Trafford set to replace Michael Zetterer in goal after a nightmare debut. According to Leeds Live, Jaka Bijol could drop to the bench as part of a reversion to the defence that began against Brighton last Saturday.

Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson are tipped to operate as wing-backs, with James Justin, Nico Elvedi and Tarik Muharemovic shielding Trafford as a back three.

Ao Tanaka is in contention to reclaim a starting berth in midfield. Farke has praised the Japan international in recent games, including the 6-3 League Cup loss at Chelsea, noting his influence after coming on. He would likely partner the ever-present captain Ethan Ampadu, with Anton Stach pushed on as the advanced right-sided number 10.

Noah Okafor will inevitably start on the left after a sprightly cameo at Stamford Bridge, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin will look to score for a second straight game after finding the net at Chelsea. The pair combined for Leeds’ third on Wednesday, giving Okafor his first assist of the season.

Harry Wilson also registered his first assist when his corner found Tarik Muharemovic for the defender’s maiden Leeds goal at Chelsea. The winger then gave the ball away for the third and faded after the break, so he is likely to start on the bench. Jean-Matteo Bahoya hopes to earn a debut after staying on the touchline in London.

Predicted XI: Trafford, Justin, Elvedi, Muharemovic, Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson, Stach, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin.

Source: Leeds Live

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”