Team predictions

Rodrigo starts, 4-3-3: The Leeds United XI and changes we think Sam Allarcyce makes v Newcastle United

|
Image for Rodrigo starts, 4-3-3: The Leeds United XI and changes we think Sam Allarcyce makes v Newcastle United

Leeds United take on Newcastle United this weekend looking to spring a shock that could massively boost their survival hopes.

Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge of the Whites this month was an away trip to Manchester City, ending in a 2-1 defeat, and his second isn’t much easier.

A home test against one of his former clubs looms, with high-flying Newcastle United up next at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.

The loss at the Etihad last weekend did damage Leeds’ standing in the battle to stay in the Premier League, with Everton and Nottingham Forest both recording vital wins on the following Monday.

There are likely to be changes to Big Sam’s lineup from his first game at the club, as he confirmed in his pre-match press conference:

“We’ll make a couple of changes based on what the Newcastle team is and how we want to play against Newcastle so we’ll make a couple of changes which you’ll find out about when the team sheet goes in.”

YEP

Here, we look at the changes we think Allardyce will make in his lineup for tomorrow…

A 4-3-3 is what we expect to be the in-possession setup from Allardyce this weekend, with the side easily able to shift into a 4-5-1 setup without the ball, making the middle of the pitch far more compact than we have seen previously this season.

In goal, Joel Robles should keep his place after performing well against Man City, keeping Leeds in the game with a handful of very smart stops.

Leeds v Newcastle predictions?

Leeds win

Leeds win

Draw

Draw

Newcastle win

Newcastle win

The back four sees the first change, with Rasmus Kristensen dropping to the bench to make way for the fit-again Robin Koch. He starts alongside Luke Ayling, Max Wöber, and Junior Firpo, who all had fairly solid games against Man City.

In the midfield three, Leeds are short of options to the point where it’s hard to see any changes, despite the fact that Marc Roca and Weston McKennie haven’t been good enough for some time.

The midfield was at fault for both goals Ilkay Gundogan scored last time out, with no one tracking his run to the edge of the box, and failing to learn their lessons from the month of April where lazy tracking cost countless goals.

The attacking three sees the second change to the side, with Patrick Bamford dropping to the bench for Rodrigo, who was back amongst the goals as he fired in a fine effort to give Leeds hope at the Etihad, and it proves why he ought to start over Bamford, as the number nine did little to even trouble the City defence, let alone Ederson.

Flanking Rodrigo will still be Willy Gnonto and Jack Harrison, who likely present Allardyce’s best options as more orthodox wingers.

Quiz: Can you remember Leeds United’s last 15 results v Newcastle United ahead of Saturday’s clash?

1 of 15

December 2022

Share this article

Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.