The Whites boss insisted he was encouraged by the team’s performance in last week’s 1-0 defeat by Burnley at Elland Road and is therefore unlikely to deviate from the XI which began that match, unless injuries cause him to.
Farke admitted there had been issues to contend with at Thorp Arch this week as Joe Rodon (hip/glute), Junior Firpo (knee), Manor Solomon (back) and Joe Rothwell (ankle) all dealt with knocks. That said, the Leeds boss expected all could potentially play some part at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Daniel James remains absent until after October’s international break while Patrick Bamford’s fitness remains to be closely monitored and is highly unlikely to be involved from the start after not making the bench last weekend.
Here is how the YEP sees Leeds lining up on Saturday afternoon.
1. GK: Illan Meslier
Leeds’ French No. 1 retained his place in the line-up after the international break earlier this month despite Karl Darlow’s debut heroics for Wales, suggesting Farke still sees Meslier as his undisputed first choice. Photo: Nigel French
2. RB: Jayden Bogle
It has been a difficult start to life at Elland Road for the ex-Sheffield United full-back but Farke is willing to give Bogle ample time to bed into his new surroundings. | Getty Images
3. CB: Joe Rodon
Despite that hip/glute issue, Rodon has regular match rhythm that should mean two missed training sessions in midweek won’t materially affect his preparedness for the bottom-of-the-league Bluebirds. | Getty Images
4. CB: Pascal Struijk
A threat at Leeds corners, solid at the back and integral to United’s early-phase build-up - Struijk gets the nod on the left-hand side of central defence, as per usual. | Danny Lawson/PA Wire
5. LB: Junior Firpo
Another who has creaked but not cracked this week, but another whose rhythm should carry him through a knock and allow him to feature from the start in South Wales. | Danny Lawson/PA Wire
6. CM: Ethan Ampadu
Substituted last weekend as a precaution following a heavy challenge on Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri, the Leeds skipper was not listed by Farke as an absentee from any training sessions this week. | Tony Johnson