Leeds predicted lineup vs Newcastle: James to come in; Ayling and Dallas shifted

Tue 14 September 2021 15:15, UK

Leeds United’s predicted lineup for Newcastle has some enforced changes.

Against Liverpool last time out the Whites fell to a 3-0 home defeat.

More irritatingly in that clash, Pascal Struijk was sent off and Diego Llorente came off injured.

Struijk can count himself unlucky as he won the ball despite inflicting a nasty injury on Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott.

Regardless, he’s out for the Newcastle trip, alongside Llorente who suffered a hamstring injury.

That means that Marcelo Bielsa will have to reshuffle his defence.

We expect him to go to what he used against Liverpool after Struijk and Llorente had left the pitch.

That backline had Stuart Dallas at right-back with a centre-back pairing of Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper.

Doing this opens up a spot in central midfield where Dallas started on Sunday.

That role should be filled by Mateusz Klich, who was an unused substitute vs Liverpool.

The only other change we’re expecting to see amongst the Leeds lineup at St. James’ Park is an exciting one.

Getting away from forced defensive issues, the final change we expect is out wide.

Raphinha will likely keep his place, but on the other wing Dan James should come in for Jack Harrison.

Harrison is yet to score or assist in his four league games so far.

Meanwhile, James signed for £25m over the summer ().

The electric winger made his debut against Liverpool, coming off the bench in place of Harrison.

Against Newcastle however, we think James will start and be given the opportunity to get at the Magpies’ back line.

Both Leeds and Newcastle go into Friday night winless in four league games.

Bielsa will see this as an opportunity to change that, though.

It won’t be an easy game, yet with a quick reshuffle at the back and James coming in, the fans will be desperate for three points.

You can see the full predicted lineup here:

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