Leeds v Forest - Match Thread
Leeds United are set to take on Nottingham Forest in their penury pre-season friendly on Thursday night in Burton. This match presents a valuable opportunity for Daniel Farke to experiment with different players and strategies ahead of Sunday's final friendly against Hearts.
Expected to guard the goalposts is Illan Meslier, still the number one goalkeeper in the squad until Karl Darlow's arrival. Against Monaco, Cody Drameh and Charlie Cresswell were left out of the starting lineup. However, both players will be eager to showcase their abilities on the right side of the defense this time around.
Additionally, with Max Wober's impending departure, Liam Cooper is the obvious choice left central defense. Junior Firpo's injury means Leo Hjelde is likely to start again as as he adapts to the inverted full-back role favored by Farke.
In the center, Ethan Ampadu is a strong candidate and will likely be one of the first names on the teamsheet when they face Cardiff. The question remains about his partner – whether it will be Archie Gray, who impressed in the weekend's game, or Darko Gyabi.
Georginio Rutter has been primarily utilized as a striker during the summer, but many believe his true potential lies out wide. As his impact as a center forward has not quite lived up to expectations, it would be interesting to see him cutting in from the right flank.
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Luis Sinisterra could be a pivotal player if he manages to stay fit. He seems like the obvious choice for the opposite wing, leaving Willy Gnonto to cause trouble in the middle – a perfect complement to the experienced target man Patrick Bamford, who remains the club's only recognized number nine.