Leeds United team news as Daniel Farke makes eight changes for Derby County clash
Leeds United kick-off their FA Cup campaign at Derby County on Sunday lunchtime.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has run the changes for Sunday’s FA Cup meeting with Derby County.
The Whites get their 2025/26 FA Cup campaign underway at Pride Park this lunchtime, with a trip to familiar Championship foes Derby their first hurdle to clear. The Rams are 13th in the second-tier and coached by John Eustace, who has caused regular problems for Leeds in recent years.
Farke said on Thursday he would not take any risks when it came to his players, having got them through a hectic winter schedule in the Premier League. Sunday’s cup clash was therefore expected to present an opportunity to those on the fringes of first-team football.
One change that wasn’t surprising was the inclusion of Karl Darlow in goal, with Farke confirming earlier in the week his second-choice shot-stopper would replace Lucas Perri. The question is whether the Welshman should keep his spot going forward following a few key goalkeeping errors in recent weeks.
Ahead of him, summer signings Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw look to be joined by Ethan Ampadu in a back three, with Jack Harrison and Willy Gnonto at left and right wing-back respectively. Ilia Gruev and Ao Tanaka form the midfield base.
Joel Piroe has also returned to the starting line-up for the first time since Arsenal in August, with the Dutchman expected to slot in behind a striker pairing of Luks Nmecha and Noah Okafor. Sam Byram has recovered from back issues to claim a place on the substitute’s bench alongside one academy prospect, Sam Chambers.
Should Leeds require some second-half firepower at Pride Park, Farke has plenty of strength on his substitutes bench. In-form Brenden Aaronson is with the squad and ready to contribute, as are Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Anton Stach.
Sean Longstaff has also recovered from a calf injury to earn himself a place on the bench, although Jayden Bogle misses out. The right-back wasn’t in full team training as of Thursday afternoon and has therefore not been risked.
Starting XI: Darlow; Bornauw, Bijol, Ampadu; Gnonto, Gruev, Tanaka, Piroe, Harrison; Okafor, Nmecha
Subs: Perri, Byram, Justin, Struijk, Longstaff, Stach, Aaronson, Chambers, Calvert-Lewin