Leeds United take on Leicester City at Elland Road this evening in what is a vital clash at the bottom of the Premier League
Javi Gracia labels Leicester City clash as ‘crucial’ in bid for survival
Javi Gracia has made four changes to his Leeds United starting line-up to face Leicester City at Elland Road this evening. It’s a six-pointer in the Premier League relegation battle and Leeds simply cannot afford to stretch their losing run to four straight games if they are to survive.
The head coach has stuck with his under fire goalkeeper Illan Meslier, despite calls to see him removed from the starting XI for this evening’s game. The Frenchman will be keen to repay that faith by performing well and responding to the two mistakes he made last time out against Fulham.
There’s no Max Wober, who seemed to pick up a slight issue at Craven Cottage on Sunday. That means Junior Firpo comes into the side at left-back, while Liam Cooper and Robin Koch start together again in the centre of defence.
Gracia has preferred the experience of Luke Ayling over Rasmus Kristensen at right-back. He’s also kept with the heavily criticised midfield duo of Weston McKennie and Marc Roca in the middle.
Wilfried Gnonto is overlooked once more, but Luis Sinisterra comes into the line-up to play alongside Jack Harrison, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo in the front four. That means there’s no place for Brenden Aaronson, who has struggled to find any sort of form in a Leeds shirt in recent weeks.
Leeds United: Illan Meslier; Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper, Junior Firpo; Weston McKennie, Marc Roca; Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterrra; Rodrigo, Patrick Bamford.
Bench: Joel Robles, Rasmus Kristensen, Pascal Struijk, Sam Greenwood, Brenden Aaronson, Adam Forshaw, Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto, Georginio Rutter.
