Leeds United will resume their bid for Premier League survival with a tonight’s clash at Bournemouth which falls just four days before an FA Cup semi-final - and this is how we think the Whites will line up.
Leeds were due to visit Bournemouth this weekend in a game which remained a Saturday afternoon 3pm kick-off but a move to a midweek fixture was always on the cards in the event of United sealing a place in the FA Cup semi-finals the same weekend.
After being taken all the way to extra-time and then penalties in an epic quarter-final clash at West Ham, Farke’s side eventually sealed a trip to Wembley by booking their place in the last four through a 4-2 win on spot kicks against the Hammers.
Farke’s side will now face historic bitter rivals Chelsea at Wembley in the competition’s second semi-final on Sunday afternoon in a 3pm kick-off.
Leeds consequently now have a long midweek trip to Bournemouth to contend with in this evening’s 8pm kick-off at the Vitality Stadium less than four days before the huge cup semi-final.
Premier League survival remains the club’s clear priority - the bread and butter as Farke calls it - his side looking good on that front in sitting 15th and eight points clear of the drop zone with just five games left.
The Whites also have two home games left against Burnley and Brighton plus away trips to two other sides battling against relegation in Tottenham Hotspur and final day hosts West Ham.
So what team will Farke send out at Bournemouth? Following a clear and strong message from the Whites boss at Tuesday morning’s pre-match press conference, this is the XI that we expect to see line up against the Cherries including calls on two players now back in the mix after injuries in Joe Rodon and Dan James.
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1. GK: Karl Darlow
Farke made it very clear at Tuesday's pre-match press conference that all thoughts were on the league clash at Bournemouth at this stage and not Sunday's FA Cup semi-final versus Chelsea, the Whites boss declaring that his side still probably needed some more points to make absolutely sure of staying up. That all points to Farke naming his absolute strongest XI and there is no doubt that Darlow is first choice keeper at present, backed by a string of impressive recent displays. Banker bet to start between the sticks. | Getty Images
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2. RB: Jayden Bogle
Clear first choice right back - especially with chief alternative James Justin playing in a different position at present - and another banker to be in the XI. | Getty Images
3. CB: James Justin
Superb against Wolves with huge contributions at both ends of the pitch and a versatile player in brilliant form. Justin was seen stretching towards the end of Saturday's win against Wolves but Farke said he thought it was just a case of cramp and the Whites boss reported no new injuries at his pre-match press conference. Even if Rodon was to go back into the XI, natural full-back Justin is arguably United's most impressive centre-back at the moment and must surely keep his place in the side. | Getty Images
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4. CB: Jaka Bijol
Justin's form might mean that Bijol would be the one to make way if and when Rodon gets back into the XI given how much Farke relies on Pascal Struijk and it might be that Rodon now comes into the XI to gain match sharpness for Sunday's semi-final. But Farke made it clear that Sunday's semi was not on his mind at this stage and Rodon has ultimately only just returned from an ankle injury. In any case the giant Bijol has been impressive himself. If he continues that form then Farke is heading for a defensive selection headache but a good one. | Getty Images
5. CB: Pascal Struijk
Captain Ethan Ampadu is now the only Leeds player to have played more minutes than Struijk which says it all and it could be argued that he is the first centre-back name on the team sheet at present. | Martin Rickett/PA Wire
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6. LB: Gabi Gudmundsson
An absolutely brilliant summer signing for just £10m, a fee that now looks like an absolute snip. Surely worth at least double or triple that now. Clear first choice left back, Gudmundsson and Bogle very likely key to United's prospects against the Cherries. | AFP via Getty Images