Boss Daniel Farke made just the one change to his team for Boxing Day’s clash at Stoke City but a big one as key midfield man Ao Tanaka came out of the side. Tanaka was replaced in the middle of the park by recently returned club captain Ethan Ampadu who had come into the XI for injury doubt Pascal Struijk at centre-back for last weekend’s win against Oxford United.
Back fit, Struijk then came back into the side at Stoke, replacing Tanaka for the only change as Ampadu returned to his natural centre midfield role alongside Joe Rothwell in the middle of the park. Leeds then moved top with a very easy 2-0 victory at Stoke thanks to a brace from Joel Piroe, after which Farke explained that Tanaka who had been used to an international break had been rested. The Whites boss also warned that Boxing Day’s two-goal hero Piroe would not play every second of every game right now, with squad rotation in mind.
Farke also said that Ampadu and Sam Byram would need to be assessed after victory at Stoke and that Max Wober remained a doubt with knee issues. Junior Firpo and Ilia Gruev, meanwhile, both remain out. All things considered, this is the XI that we think Farke will now send out in the bid for rapid back-to-back away wins in the Sunday evening 5.45pm kick-off at Pride Park.
7. CM: Ao Tanaka
A hard call as there must be a temptation to leave the Ampadu and Joe Rothwell midfield axis as it is following such a dominant win at Stoke City. Much also depends on how Ampadu reacts to those quickfire back-to-back full matches. But Tanaka is clearly a class act and unlikely to be rested for long so maybe now Rothwell will be the one on the bench. Photo: Ben Roberts Photo
8. LW: Manor Solomon
Changes out wide would be no surprise given that Farke has options like Willy Gnonto and Largie Ramazani waiting in the wings but Solomon is thriving at present and there must be a strong temptation to keep him in. Gnonto likely to the one brought in if he's rested. Photo: Alex Livesey
9. RW: Dan James
Another who might be given a rest - for either Gnonto or Ramazani - but James is continuing to cause havoc with his pace - and with end product - and the feeling is that he will take his place in the XI once again. Photo: Ben Roberts Photo
10. ACM: Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson is continually proving Farke's call in the no 10 role and the American is in decent nick, bagging another assist in Boxing Day's win at Stoke. Photo: George Wood
11. ST: Joel Piroe
Farke warning that Piroe 'won't play each and every second right now' is understandable given that the Whites boss also has Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford to call on but it would still be a surprise if the Dutchman came out of the team at Derby fresh from his match-winning brace at Stoke. Now on nine goals for the season and very much nine and counting. Photo: Ryan Hiscott