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Leeds United could set themselves up for a Monday night promotion in Easter Monday’s hosting of Stoke City - and this is how we think the Whites will line-up.
Boss Daniel Farke named an unchanged team for Friday night’s clash at Oxford United as Dan James returned from a hamstring injury but only to the bench.
That meant Willy Gnonto keeping his place on the right wing although James was finally brought on for Gnonto as part of a double change with 14 minutes left.
The other change saw Patrick Bamford replace striker Joel Piroe who was unable to find the back of the net for the ninth game in a row.
A solitary strike from Manor Solomon proved enough to seal Leeds a huge 1-0 success which sent them back to the top of the Championship with just three games left.
Solomon, though, went down injured with three minutes left and asked to be substituted although Farke declared afterwards that the Tottenham loanee was suffering from cramps.
Nevertheless, Farke has admitted that both James and Solomon will need to be assessed ahead for Monday’s quick turnaround for which Joe Rothwell (calf) and Pascal Struijk *foot fracture) are both out. Youngster Sam Chambers is also ill.
Farke’s Whites have a five-point cushion in the division’s automatic promotion places and will be promoted on Monday night if they beat Stoke and third-placed Sheffield United fail to win at Burnley in their 5.30pm kick-off.
The stakes are absolutely enormous and this is the XI that we think Farke will send out against Mark Robins’ 16th-placed Potters.
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7. CM: Ao Tanaka
A superb first season as a Leeds United player and the other easy automatic pick in the middle of the park. | Getty Images
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8. LW: Manor Solomon
A slight doubt given that he went off in the closing stages at Oxford but only with cramps and it seems very likely that the Tottenham loanee star will be fine. As expected, has proved a class above at this level. | Getty Images
9. RW: Willy Gnonto
The million dollar question of whether James or Gnonto starts. With 12 goals and nine assists to his name, James clearly takes his place in the XI if fully fit but he only bagged 16 minutes from the bench at Oxford on his comeback from a hamstring injury. Farke admitted post-match that he wasn't sure if James would be fit enough to start v Stoke. Given the tight turnaround, perhaps it will be the bench with the chance to then cause mayhem off it. A big chance for Gnonto, again. if so. | Getty Images
10. ACM: Brenden Aaronson
The Leeds United no 10 debate has rumbled on all season but Farke has continually kept the faith with Aaronson whose energy could be key against Stoke upon a second game in four days. | Getty Images
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11. ST: Joel Piroe
It's now nine games without a goal for United's first choice striker and Patrick Bamford is clearly knocking on the door but it would still be surprising if Farke made such a big change at this stage. Piroe remains joint second in the Championship Golden Boot race and is expected to get another chance from the star to add to his 15-goal tally - two behind Norwich City's Borja Sainz. | Getty Images