Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has a chance to use his squad in the fourth-round FA Cup clash against Millwall at Elland Road. The German is expected to use the occasion to rest some of his big stars while giving some of his squad players a chance to showcase why they should get more opportunities in the last few months of the season. Leeds will hope to have a deep cup run and two wins away from a quarter-final berth. Farke is still expected to field a team strong enough to beat a Millwall side who have won their last three games and are unbeaten in four. However, it will be a new-look Leeds side on Saturday and we could see at least one player who could be used in a completely different role against the Lions.
Farke’s side are at the top of the Championship table, and their recent run of form has allowed them to build a five-point lead at the top of the league table.
The win over Coventry City on Wednesday night ensured that Leeds United won’t get toppled in the league table this weekend despite being in FA Cup action.
Leeds’ priority is to ensure that they earn automatic promotion to the Premier League this season and a cup run is definitely at the top of their agenda.
However, they are two wins away from a quarter-final berth in the FA Cup and Leeds have a decent chance of having a deep cup run without jeopardising their league form.
Millwall will be a tough opponent and while Leeds are expected to field a rotated line-up on Saturday, they will back themselves to get a result at home against the Lions.
A new role for a Leeds United star against Millwall
Several players in the Leeds squad could use a break after a gruelling couple of weeks of playing well and keeping the side in control of the promotion race.
The FA Cup is a chance for Farke to not only provide rest to some of his big players but also to look at some of the squad players ahead of a key juncture of the season.
Leeds will need the whole squad to step up if they are to finish in the top two and get promoted and the manager would be delighted if some of the fringe stars prove themselves on the pitch.
Mateo Joseph will likely lead the line and will hope to carry the confidence he received from his goal against Cardiff City last weekend. Wilfried Gnonto and Daniel James will probably man the flanks.
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The one change we will likely see from the win over Harrowgate Town in the previous is Manor Solomon, who played in the number 10 role and is expected to get a break.
Largie Ramazani will get into the team and the Belgian will likely be used in the number 10 role, which will be something new for the wideman.
The midfield and defence will also see changes
Joe Rothwell will likely get into the team after getting a break against Coventry City and will be tasked with the job of controlling the pace of the game.
It remains to be seen whether Josuha Guilavogui partners him in the middle or he is again played in defence like he did against Harrogate Town.
With Pascal Strujk still not fit, it is unlikely that Farke will tinker with the defensive partnership of Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu at the heart of their defence.
Isaac Schmidt will get another opportunity to start in one of the full-back positions after impressing against Harrowgate Town in the previous round of the FA Cup.
The probable XI – Darlow, Schmidt, Rodon, Ampadu, Byram, Rothwell, Guilavogui, Gnonto, Ramazani, James, Joseph
