Leeds United have a break from their Premier League survival bid with Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round clash at Birmingham City - and this is how we think boss Daniel Farke will line them up.
Farke readily and understandably admitted at Friday’s pre-match press conference that United’s fight to stay in the Premier League had to take priority but that his men also wanted to progress in the FA Cup.
After January’s 3-1 win at third round hosts Derby County, a victory at Sunday’s hosts Birmingham would put Leeds into the last 16.
But Farke’s side are heading to St Andrew’s with two key men definitely out and with the contest ending a demanding week.
Sunday’s 12 noon kick-off in Birmingham comes hot on the heels of Tuesday night’s trip to London for a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge which itself fell just four days after Friday night’s 3-1 win at home to Nottingham Forest.
Just six days after Sunday’s clash at St Andrew’s, another massive Premier League clash presents itself next Saturday afternoon at Aston Villa.
Farke has several players in need of game time plus youngsters such as Sam Chambers and Alfie Cresswell bubbling below the surface, for whom Sunday’s cup tie could be viewed as a good chance.
But the Whites boss has never been one for complete blanket full scale changes, usually going with a bit of a mix.
All things considered, this is the XI that we think the Whites boss will send out at St Andrew’s which features eight changes, a full debut and a striker’s big chance.
The decision with youngsters Chambers and Cresswell is likely to put them on the bench.
7. RWB: Willy Gnonto
Gnonto is clearly towards the top of the list of those needing game time and the Italian looks a banker bet to start at Birmingham, possibly in the right wing back role having also played in that position in the third round clash at Derby. | Getty Images
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8. LWB: Dan James
Jack Harrison was selected as left wing back in the third round clash at Derby but has since left to join Fiorentina and Sunday's clash at St Andrew's would appear to present an ideal opportunity for James to bag his first start since returning from the hamstring tendon injury suffered in the 3-2 defeat at Manchester City at the end of November. Left wing back ought to suit his game nicely. | Getty Images
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9. ACM: Facundo Buonanotte
Brighton loanee January window signing Buonanotte has bagged just 24 minutes from the bench so far in outings against Everton and Arsenal but the 21-year-old is not cup tied for Sunday's contest due to changed FA rules and a start is surely in the offing at St Andrew's, just a case of in what formation. An eagerly awaited full debut. | LUFC
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10. ST: Joel Piroe
Another for whom game time has been limited, Piroe was given a start in the third round clash at Derby and another very likely awaits at Birmingham. With Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha both impressing upfront of late, a particularly huge chance for him. | Getty Images
11. ST: Noah Okafor
Farke went with Okafor and Piroe in a front two in the third round clash at Derby and with more defensive options limited by the absences of Struijk and Stach that might be the way he goes again. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is now back after his recent illness but it seems unlikely that he will be risked with no great need to so it's probably Okafor or Lukas Nmecha up tops with Piroe unless Farke opts for one upfront and perhaps plays James Justin in defence and then puts Ampadu in as another midfielder. | Getty Images