Leeds United predicted lineup vs Newcastle United - Premier League
Leeds United welcome Newcastle United to Elland Road in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Marcelo Bielsa was forced into fielding an eighth teenager of the season against West Ham United last weekend, as injuries continue to dog the dogmatic manager. Despite the varying experience among the ranks, Leeds managed to earn their first set of consecutive Premier League victories all season in east London.
Here's the XI Bielsa may call upon to extend that winning glut...
Leeds United predicted lineup vs Newcastle United - Premier League
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Illan Meslier (GK) - The youngest goalkeeper to feature in England's top flight this season has missed just three Premier League games since the start of the previous campaign.
Luke Ayling (RB) - The former Arsenal academy product, who left the club before making a single senior outing, is poised for his 50th Premier League appearance.
Diego Llorente (CB) - Despite the impressive cameo of Leo Hjelde last weekend, Llorente may well slip straight back into the starting lineup after serving a suspension.
Pascal Struijk (CB) - The 15 possession recoveries Struijk made in his first game since November against West Ham is a tally only one Premier League centre-back can better in this season's competition: Virgil van Dijk's 17 against Chelsea (according to Opta).
Stuart Dallas (LB) - Bielsa's ever-dependable Swiss army knife is the only outfield player to have started every available Premier League match for their club since summer 2020 across the entire division.
2. Midfielders
? Not surprised, what a shift! https://t.co/5wZ7CAgn0z pic.twitter.com/u9UPDWXNTc
— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 17, 2022
Robin Koch (DM) - A lengthy injury absence has ensured that Koch hasn't won a Premier League match at Elland Road since a victory over Tottenham in May.
Mateusz Klich (DM) - In spite of a more withdrawn role and the (rightly) lauded qualities of one Brazilian attacker in particular, Klich has surprisingly created more chances per 90 than any player in the Leeds squad this season (2.3).
Rodrigo Moreno (AM) - As the sole senior figure on a bench boasting seven teenagers last weekend, the 30-year-old converted forward could make his first start since November.
3. Forwards
? Hat-trick hero! @Harrison_Jack11 pic.twitter.com/Ts6WVlQ00y
— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 16, 2022
Raphinha (RW) - Bielsa delivered a typically direct appraisal of his winger's value within the Leeds set-up before the West Ham win: "Raphinha's the best player in the team in all the senses. Physically he's the best, technically he's at the level of the best, his interpretation of the game is very wise."
Dan James (ST) - Since the start of last season, two players have made 40 or more sprints in a single game of Premier League football, perpetual motion's James accounts for both of them (per Opta).
Jack Harrison (LW) - Became just the fifth player to score a hat-trick under Bielsa's stewardship during the Argentine's entire managerial career last weekend.