Quartet axed: This much-changed Leeds starting XI will smash Huddersfield
By Alex Stevens
Leeds should shake up their starting XI for Sunday’s all-Yorkshire showdown against Huddersfield at Sunday lunchtime.
Garry Monk’s side go into the clash on a high after Wednesday’s last-gasp win over Blackburn at Ewood Park sealed a seventh win in nine league matches.
But the manager must still rotate his players for the match-up of the promotion hopefuls to freshen up his side and hit the home side where it hurts.
Deadline day signings Alfonso Pedraza and Modou Barrow should be slotted straight into the starting line-up, where they must be joined by playmaker Pablo Hernandez and central midfielder Ronaldo Vieira.
This would mean attacking midfield trio Stuart Dallas, Kemar Roofe, Hadi Sacko and central midfielder Eunan O’Kane all dropping down to the bench.
Four changes may appear excessive for a side who have been so consistent since a difficult start to the season but there have been signs that a squad light on depth is struggling to cope with the notoriously challenging Championship campaign.
Leeds’ resilience and togetherness has got them out of a few late scrapes, which is why Monk must ring the changes for the short trip to the John Smith’s Stadium.
With Charlie Taylor to be sidelined for a tenth consecutive match, the manager should stick with the back five that have proved so solid in the last six weeks, with Gaetano Berardi once again deputising at left-back.
Vieira, who has emerged as one of the best young players in the Championship this season, should be recalled to partner Liam Bridcutt in central midfield, as he offers great mobility that O’Kane in a match in which Leeds are expected to play on the counter-attack.
The return of Hernandez, who was omitted from the team that beat Blackburn possibly with this match in mind, will provide the team with greater inventiveness on the ball and the wide men should benefit.
The attack will once again be led by main man Chris Wood, who will be keen to add to his 20-goal haul this season, 17 of which have come in the league.
In other Leeds team news, Monk has confirmed that these two players will face the Terriers on Sunday.
We’ve launched an << EXCLUSIVE TRANSFER WINDOW NEWS FEED>>. ‘Like Us’ on Facebook by clicking here if you want 24/7 updates on all Leeds transfer news.