Leeds United have a break from their Premier League survival bid with Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round clash at Birmingham City - and this is how we think boss Daniel Farke will line them up.
Farke readily and understandably admitted at Friday’s pre-match press conference that United’s fight to stay in the Premier League had to take priority but that his men also wanted to progress in the FA Cup.
After January’s 3-1 win at third round hosts Derby County, a victory at Sunday’s hosts Birmingham would put Leeds into the last 16.
But Farke’s side are heading to St Andrew’s with two key men definitely out and with the contest ending a demanding week.
Sunday’s 12 noon kick-off in Birmingham comes hot on the heels of Tuesday night’s trip to London for a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge which itself fell just four days after Friday night’s 3-1 win at home to Nottingham Forest.
Just six days after Sunday’s clash at St Andrew’s, another massive Premier League clash presents itself next Saturday afternoon at Aston Villa.
Farke has several players in need of game time plus youngsters such as Sam Chambers and Alfie Cresswell bubbling below the surface, for whom Sunday’s cup tie could be viewed as a good chance.
But the Whites boss has never been one for complete blanket full scale changes, usually going with a bit of a mix.
All things considered, this is the XI that we think the Whites boss will send out at St Andrew’s which features eight changes, a full debut and a striker’s big chance.
The decision with youngsters Chambers and Cresswell is likely to put them on the bench.
1. GK: Lucas Perri
Summer signing new first choice keeper Perri has been replaced by Karl Darlow between the sticks for United's last six games, Darlow given his first chance in January's third round clash at Derby. But it might now be the other way round, Sunday's contest seemingly presenting an ideal opportunity for Perri to stake a claim at regaining the call between the posts for the survival bid run-in. The first change, in for Darlow. | Getty Images
.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
2. CB: Sebastiaan Bornauw
Farke has some big calls to make with his defence, both in terms of personnel and shape. But Bornauw seems one of the most likely starters having only suffered bruising when colliding with Karl Darlow for Chelsea's first goal at Stamford Bridge. | Getty Images
.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
3. CB: Jaka Bijol
Bijol has only just returned to the side after recovering from a hamstring injury and Sunday's contest looks another good opportunity for him. | Getty Images
.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
4. CB: Ethan Ampadu
A big call either way as club captain Ampadu is probably top of the list or very near it for players you wouldn't want to risk. But that didn't stop Ampadu being selected to start January's third round clash at Derby in which he dropped back from his usual centre midfield role into defence. With Pascal Struijk out and a three-man defence clearly suiting Leeds well of late, Ampadu might well be called upon to start again in defence again although James Justin and Sam Byram are other options, as is reverting to a back four. But especially with Struijk out, it might well be that Ampadu's leadership qualities also sway the decision to start him. | Getty Images
.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
5. CM: Sean Longstaff
Longstaff is another yet to get into a rhythm of games having returned from injury and appeals as another obvious starter at Birmingham in the middle of the park. | Getty Images
.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
6. CM: Ao Tanaka
Tanaka is another for whom starts have been limited of late and the Japanese international ace looks another banker bet to start Sunday's cup tie in centre midfield. | Getty Images