Leeds United have it all to play for when they welcome relegation rivals Nottingham Forest to Elland Road on Friday. The pair are separated in the Premier League table by goals scored alone, with both six points clear of West Ham and knowing that gap could be extended to nine with victory to kick off the weekend.
Daniel Farke confirmed on Wednesday he could welcome Jaka Bijol back into the side, following a three-week absence due to a hamstring injury, while James Justin’s toe issue picked up against Arsenal is nothing major. Anton Stach, however, looks set to miss out with a hip problem while Lukas Nmecha also remains sidelined.
Leeds and Farke will be desperate to put last weekend’s 4-0 defeat to Arsenal behind them and three points against a direct rival will do exactly that. Below, the YEP takes a look at how the Whites could line-up for what is increasingly looking like a relegation six-pointer.
1. Predicted Leeds United XI vs Nottingham Forest
Let's take a look at how Daniel Farke could line up on Friday. | Getty Images
2. GK: Karl Darlow
Few will disagree Arsenal's second goal last weekend was a howler but Farke simply cannot keep chopping and changing his goalkeeper. The hope is he regroups quickly and returns to the steady presence of last season's promotion run-in. Photo: Mike Egerton
3. CB: Joe Rodon
Not at his best against Arsenal, but neither were any of his teammates. Has the ability to set the tone inside Elland Road with big challenges and bursting runs down that right hand-side. | Getty Images
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4. CB: Jaka Bijol
A doubt for Friday having only returned to team training from a hamstring injury on Wednesday, but exactly the kind of game he needs to be involved in if possible. The Slovenian has been a huge miss and his physicality will be needed against Igor Jesus. | Getty Images
5. CB: Pascal Struijk
Played a role in Arsenal's third and fourth goals last weekend but that disappointing performance feels like an anomaly, compared to the last couple of months. Been largely impressive and enjoying the freedom to push into midfield when necessary. Will be important in build-up if Forest sit deep. | Getty Images
6. RWB: Jayden Bogle
Registered just one assist and zero goals this season, which is a little surprising given his attacking quality and freedom to go forward in this new formation. Friday would be a great time to improve that tally and Forest could be forced into handing a debut out at left-back, making it an area to exploit. | Getty Images