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Leeds United are heading for their first FA Cup semi-final in 39 years - and this is how we think Daniel Farke’s Whites will line up.
Having gone many years without a decent cup run, Leeds now find themselves in the FA Cup’s semi-finals, Farke’s men having successfully juggled the quest for Premier League survival with continued progress in the country’s historic cup competition.
Farke has made many changes to his side in every round up to the semi-final but the Whites boss now has some very big decisions to make with his side now just one game away from the FA Cup final no less.
On the team selection front, Farke dropped a big hint about what he is likely to do with one key position at his pre-match press conference and it might be that other positions follow suit.
With injury doubts over three players and one more definitely out, the final call on who Farke has available will also be a huge factor.
Taking everything into account, this is the XI that we think Farke will send out against the Blues in Sunday afternoon’s huge semi-final at Wembley in a 3pm kick-off.
7. CM: Ethan Ampadu
The club captain who has guided Leeds to their first FA Cup semi-final since 1987 and a huge surprise if he does not start in centre-midfield. | Getty Images
8. CM: Ao Tanaka
With Ilia Gruev out and Anton Stach a major doubt it likely all points to a start for Tanaka who Farke praised in his pre-match press conference. A huge day for him if so. | Getty Images
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9. LW: Noah Okafor
Farke might well choose to go with three centre midfielders which would likely mean a start for Wednesday night's hero from the bench Sean Longstaff but Okafor has been United's brightest spark of late and is just the sort of player who could put Chelsea under pressure in the early stages. He also seems better from the start than the bench and the feeling would be that Okafor takes his place in the XI although Willy Gnonto is a live alternative, as Dan James would be if fully fit. | Getty Images
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10. RW: Brenden Aaronson
One of the players who Farke calls on the most and whose energy will likely be seen as key in Sunday's semi-final. | Getty Images
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11. ST: Lukas Nmecha
One of the biggest calls to be made in who starts upfront with Dominic Callvert-Lewin clearly first choice no 9. But Nmecha has started every game FA Cup on the way to the semi-finals and if Farke is going to start Perri in goal then it's reasonable to think that he might do the same with Nmecha who has always delivered when required. | Getty Images