Leeds United make the long trip down south to take on Bournemouth tonight, with a positive result ensuring Daniel Farke’s men either hit or surpass the 40-point mark for the campaign.
Big wins against Manchester United and Wolves last week have put Leeds in an incredible position to secure their Premier League status with just five games to go.
The Burnley game at Elland Road is an obvious one that Farke will be targeting to secure the rest of the points needed to keep the Whites in the top flight for next season.
However, this upcoming game against Bournemouth may become an afterthought for the German, who will surely have one eye on the FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea at the weekend.
Calvert-Lewin among those to be rested against Bournemouth
When Leeds have played in midweek this season after having had a game at the weekend, Farke has opted at times to rest Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with the Englishman being benched for Leeds’ trip to Anfield, for example.
The game against Bournemouth tonight is likely to be the same, with Farke surely wanting his talisman fit and available for Leeds’ trip to Wembley, meaning Lukas Nmecha will be in line to be handed a rare Premier League start.
Given that Ao Tanaka has started the last few games as well and played exceptionally, the Japanese international may also be rested ahead of the semi-final, giving Sean Longstaff a chance to impress against Bournemouth.
Sebastiaan Bornauw could also be reintroduced into the starting XI, with James Justin sliding over to right wing-back, whilst Jayden Bogle drops to the bench.
Given Noah Okafor’s injury record, Leeds will want to wrap their in-form winger in cotton wool before they travel to Wembley, so do not be surprised if Okafor is an unused substitute against Bournemouth.
If Leeds can pick up a point after making a few changes, it would be an incredible result from Farke’s men, who now seemingly have the luxury of being able to prioritise the FA Cup.
The Leeds Press predicted XI: Darlow, Justin, Bornauw, Bijol, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Longstaff, Gruev, Aaronson, Nmecha
Sean Longstaff must seize his opportunity if he starts
Longstaff, 28, has played far less football for Leeds this season than anybody would have expected last summer when he was brought in for around £12million.
After establishing himself in the starting XI in the early stages of the season, he was never able to reclaim his place in the team following the injury he sustained back in November.
But if he does start against Bournemouth, he would be given a golden opportunity to remind Farke of the quality he possesses.
- Longstaff has not started a league game since November
- The experienced midfielder has only played a total of 970 Premier League minutes this season
- Longstaff’s last start for Leeds was their FA Cup clash with Norwich in March, a game in which he scored (Sofascore)
Tanaka has proven this season that winning back Farke’s favour is possible if you take your chances when you play, and hopefully, for Longstaff, he can impress Farke should he be handed a start tonight, increasing the competition for places even further.
READ MORE: Liam Rosenior turns on Chelsea players ahead of Leeds FA Cup semi-final – The Leeds Press
