.jpeg?trim=0,0,0,0&crop=&width=640&quality=70&enable=upscale)
Leeds United return home this weekend with Tottenham Hotspur their final Elland Road visitors before the November international break. Daniel Farke’s side lost 2-0 at Bournemouth last time out and are winless in five but remain unbeaten in front of their own supporters.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Farke confirmed recent doubts Noah Okafor and Anton Stach are still managing issues, with neither involved in team training. Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin also missed a session due to a setback but the Whites boss was ‘carefully optimistic’ his top-scorer would be okay.
Leeds enjoyed a decent start at Bournemouth until James Trafford’s mistake and will need to be at their best if they are to end a run of 21 early Premier League kick-offs without a win. With all that in mind, the YEP has put together its predicted XI below.
7. CM: Ethan Ampadu
The Whites skipper has been a little off it in recent weeks, by his own high standards at least. A nailed on starter regardless but will have to be careful on Saturday as he's one yellow card away from a Premier League ban. | Getty Images
8. CM: Ao Tanaka
Started brightly at Bournemouth like a lot of his teammates but things got difficult after going behind. Sean Longstaff has been encouraging off the bench recently but Leeds will want plenty of the ball on Saturday with Tanaka the man to keep them ticking over. Anton Stach is still managing a broken toe. | Getty Images
.jpeg?trim=0,233,0,233&crop=&width=800)
9. LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
Had a difficult time of it against Mohammed Kudus in this game last year and could come up against the same winger on Saturday. Will need to be switched on while also taking any opportunity to burst forward. | AFP via Getty Images
10. RW: Harry Wilson
There were promising signs early on at Bournemouth, with Wilson more impactful alongside a run-in-behind winger on the left. If Leeds can get a similar thing going on Saturday and not concede a silly goal it should be a chance for the Welshman to continue improving. | Getty Images
11. LW: Daniel James
Looked sharp in the early stages of what was his first Premier League start of the season at Bournemouth, beating players and utilising his pace. Equally importantly, he offered balance and unsettled the defence, opening up more space for the likes of Wilson. With Noah Okafor still managing an adductor issue, the Welshman keeps his place.
12. ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Unfortunate to see his early goal ruled out for handball at Bournemouth before having just one more touch in the opposition box. That's now just three penalty area touches in two games - Calvert-Lewin will be demanding much better service from his teammates. The striker should come through a setback with his foot issue to feature.