What will Leeds' starting line-up be against Southampton?

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During the week, Leeds United appointed former Watford and Valencia boss Javi Gracia to be their new manager on a contract until the end of the season. Given that Gracia has still not had his work permit granted, he won't be in charge for this match.

Leeds skipper, Liam Cooper, was a doubt for the match last weekend and was left on the bench by interim manager, Michael Skubala. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him return to the team alongside Robin Koch, with Max Wober moving to left-back ahead of Junior Firpo and Luke Ayling keeping his place at right-back. However, Junior Firpo is likely to keep his place at left-back because Wober is a doubt for the match due to injury.

United States international duo, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie, formed a half-decent partnership for the USMNT at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and whilst Adams’ form has remained impressive, McKennie is struggling to sparkle at Elland Road. He should retain his place in the eleven but if he is dropped then Marc Roca’s fitness is crucial with the Spaniard an injury doubt.

Leeds have a collection of attacking players that can provide precision and incision but Jesse Marsch and then Skubala’s insistence on being narrow throughout the match limited their ability with Jack Harrison, Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto all fluid and with extra pace to stretch teams but limited by being forced into one area of the pitch.

If Gracia is to alter anything then width may be high on the list with Harrison and Gnonto playing out-wide and Brenden Aaronson coming back into the eleven in the number ten role.

However, despite the fact that Gracia has joined the club ahead of this weekend's match, he will not be able to have much of an influence on tactics or selection so the same three of Harrison, Summerville and Gnonto is expected.

Georginio Rutter joined for what could end up being a club record fee in the January transfer window but Patrick Bamford’s performances have improved and he should retain his place in the starting eleven.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Firpo; McKennie, Adams; Summerville, Harrison, Gnonto; Bamford

UNAVAILABLE: Dallas (Injured), Gray (Injured), Forshaw (Fitness), Rodrigo (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE: Wober (Injured), Struijk (Concussion), Roca (Injured), Sinisterra (Injured), Perkins (Fitness)