Marsch was hopeful of having first choice keeper Illan Meslier back in training this week following his recent absence with glandular fever. Everyone associated with the Whites will be keeping everything crossed that he makes it and he might well start against City but given the length of his recent absence and the nature of the condition it's not hard to predict a forced change in goal. Marsch would then have to choose between Joel Robles and young Kristoffer Klaesson. In that instance, the experience of Robles might give him the nod. A major call either way.Marsch was hopeful of having first choice keeper Illan Meslier back in training this week following his recent absence with glandular fever. Everyone associated with the Whites will be keeping everything crossed that he makes it and he might well start against City but given the length of his recent absence and the nature of the condition it's not hard to predict a forced change in goal. Marsch would then have to choose between Joel Robles and young Kristoffer Klaesson. In that instance, the experience of Robles might give him the nod. A major call either way.
Marsch was hopeful of having first choice keeper Illan Meslier back in training this week following his recent absence with glandular fever. Everyone associated with the Whites will be keeping everything crossed that he makes it and he might well start against City but given the length of his recent absence and the nature of the condition it's not hard to predict a forced change in goal. Marsch would then have to choose between Joel Robles and young Kristoffer Klaesson. In that instance, the experience of Robles might give him the nod. A major call either way.

Leeds United's predicted line-up v Man City and gallery with major changes and star man out

Lee Sobot
By Lee Sobot
Published 24th Dec 2022, 16:14 BST
Leeds United will finally return to Premier League action next week at home to Manchester City – and this is how we think the Whites will line up.

Leeds were missing ten first team players for the club’s final pre-season friendly at home to AS Monaco on Wednesday in which Jesse Marsch’s side fell to a 4-2 defeat after conceding three goals in a nine-minute spell after the break. The list of absentees consisted of Tyler Adams, Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, Jack Harrison, Illan Meslier, Mateusz Klich, Rodrigo, Luis Sinisterra and Crysencio Summerville. Young duo Archie Gray and Sonny Perkins were also not involved but the pair were not listed as injured by Marsch in Thursday’s pre-match press conference.

But Dallas and Sinisterra will both definitely miss next Wednesday’s return to action at home to City for which Whites star man midfielder Tyler Adams is also suspended. Marsch was hoping to have the other seven absentees from the Monaco match back in training this week and this is the XI that we think will line up to face Erling Haaland and co at Elland Road in the 8pm kick-off.

Everything points towards Forshaw's first Premier League start since last April arriving against City. Marsch needs alternatives with Adams suspended and Forshaw has featured heavily in mid-season in a 4-3-3. That looks likely again for what would be Forshaw's first league start since lining up in the 1-1 draw at home to Southampton in April last term.

7. CM - Adam Forshaw

Everything points towards Forshaw's first Premier League start since last April arriving against City. Marsch needs alternatives with Adams suspended and Forshaw has featured heavily in mid-season in a 4-3-3. That looks likely again for what would be Forshaw's first league start since lining up in the 1-1 draw at home to Southampton in April last term. Photo: Clive Mason

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If Marsch opts for a 4-3-3 then one of Greenwood or Mateusz Klich will surely be the 'third' man in midfield. Both were praised by Marsch at Thursday's presser but Klich missed the Monaco game due to sickness whereas Greenwood started and played the full duration. As such, he must be the percentage call and he's a player that Marsch has often hailed.

8. CM - Sam Greenwood

If Marsch opts for a 4-3-3 then one of Greenwood or Mateusz Klich will surely be the 'third' man in midfield. Both were praised by Marsch at Thursday's presser but Klich missed the Monaco game due to sickness whereas Greenwood started and played the full duration. As such, he must be the percentage call and he's a player that Marsch has often hailed. Photo: David Rogers

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The front line is anyone's guess given the injuries situation but there's no doubting the promise once again shown by Gnonto in the mid-season friendlies. If there's any doubt at all about Summerville and/or Harrison then Gnonto would seem very likely to start with Sinisterra already out.

9. LW/ST - Willy Gnonto

The front line is anyone's guess given the injuries situation but there's no doubting the promise once again shown by Gnonto in the mid-season friendlies. If there's any doubt at all about Summerville and/or Harrison then Gnonto would seem very likely to start with Sinisterra already out. Photo: Jan Kruger

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Versatile USA international attacker Brenden Aaronson has quickly become one of the first names on the team sheet for Leeds and he looks the one banker bet to start in the front line given that Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford have both had injuries of late. If the latter duo both miss out, Aaronson might even up starting through the middle upfront, as was the case against Monaco.

10. RW/ST - Brenden Aaronson

Versatile USA international attacker Brenden Aaronson has quickly become one of the first names on the team sheet for Leeds and he looks the one banker bet to start in the front line given that Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford have both had injuries of late. If the latter duo both miss out, Aaronson might even up starting through the middle upfront, as was the case against Monaco. Photo: George Wood

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One way or the other this is going to be huge as Leeds will quite obviously need as many key men as possible against City and will need players who can take their chances when they come. Rodrigo has done that nine times this season, his goals tally putting him joint fourth in the Premier League top scorers charts. The Spaniard missed the Monaco match due to hamstring tightness but his omission sounded precautionary and the hope will be that he can start against City. Bamford, if recovering from groin surgery/sickness, or Gelhardt are the main two alternatives, or Aaronson though the middle. Young Mateo Joseph and Sonny Perkins are the younger options.

11. ST - Rodrigo

One way or the other this is going to be huge as Leeds will quite obviously need as many key men as possible against City and will need players who can take their chances when they come. Rodrigo has done that nine times this season, his goals tally putting him joint fourth in the Premier League top scorers charts. The Spaniard missed the Monaco match due to hamstring tightness but his omission sounded precautionary and the hope will be that he can start against City. Bamford, if recovering from groin surgery/sickness, or Gelhardt are the main two alternatives, or Aaronson though the middle. Young Mateo Joseph and Sonny Perkins are the younger options. Photo: Jan Kruger

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