Leeds United have some selection issues as trio return
Leeds United boss Paul Heckingbottom faces a number of difficult decisions when it comes to team selection as his side travel to face Derby County on Wednesday night.
The Championship clash, live on Sky Sports, sees two of the league’s promotion hopefuls come up against one another.
Suspensions and injuries have plagued the Leeds squad during 2018, but with three players returning from bans, Heckingbottom faces a number of dilemmas.
Tom Carnduff looks at the current situation with Leeds and who should feature in the game against Derby.
Saiz is back
A huge boost for Leeds is the return of Samuel Saiz, following the conclusion of his six-game ban for spitting in the FA Cup defeat to Newport County.
The 27-year-old has nine goals and five assists in all competitions this season and is a pivotal part of the Leeds side.
The Spaniard’s ability on the ball is as good as any player in the division and he is more than capable of creating dangerous situations for the forwards.
Samuel Saiz to score and Leeds United to win against Derby is 9/1 with Sky Bet.
Despite an extended spell off the pitch, Heckingbottom has stated that he is in good condition. Saiz has also been training with the squad and you feel that a place in the starting XI is a must as he looks to repay the club following his lengthy suspension.
The Leeds boss, as odd as it sounds, doesn’t put too much emphasis on formations but has lined up with two different systems in his opening games with the club.
A 4-3-3, with Saiz playing in the attacking midfield role would be the obvious choice when it comes to re-introducing him to the team.
Pablo on the left?
In Saiz’s absence, Pablo Hernandez has stepped up as Leeds’ main creative option.
The 32-year-old has been a fan favourite since his arrival from Al Arabi last season and finds himself as a regular feature for the Whites since the move.
Whilst primarily a central attacking midfielder, Hernandez’s position on the left side of midfield has given Leeds far more threat.
He provided the crosses for both of Leeds’ goals against Bristol City and also picked up the assist in the 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The midfielder is a key threat on free-kicks and other set-pieces, proving on multiple occasions that he can find the back of the net from a dead ball situation.
The first goal to be scored by a direct free-kick is 25/1 with Sky Bet.
Hernandez may not have the pace, but his vision and awareness of potential attacking opportunities has been beneficial to both the team and Pierre-Michel Lasogga.
The German forward performs better by having players closer to him, and Hernandez’s preference to cut inside allows that to happen.
Saiz’s return doesn’t have to signal Hernandez dropping out of the starting XI. Given his form in recent weeks, Pablo will continue to cause problems in his current position.
Berardi and Cooper to return?
Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi are another two players who are back from suspension.
Cooper was handed a four-match ban for a red card against Millwall and Berardi was shown a second yellow in the defeat to Cardiff.
Both were starters previous to the bans, but it doesn’t guarantee a return to the starting XI for either.
Heckingbottom elected to play Vurnon Anita at right-back in the 2-2 draw with Bristol City and he had a solid game, both in defence and going forward, often providing the overlap for Stuart Dallas and Hadi Sacko.
Matthew Pennington has occupied the centre-back spot in Cooper’s absence and by all accounts the club are admirers of the 23-year-old.
On the whole, Leeds have struggled defensively but that is not solely down to the performances of Pennington, who is enjoying a decent spell in West Yorkshire so far.
Despite the performances, Cooper was captain previous to the ban and it’d come as no shock if he is on the teamsheet come 6:45pm on Wednesday evening.
Lasogga in goal-scoring form
One big positive for Heckingbottom is the current form of Lasogga.
The 26-year-old is on a season-long loan at Elland Road from Bundesliga outfit Hamburg, scoring nine goals and assisting four in 20 Championship appearances.
Lasogga is 13/2 to open the scoring against Derby on Wednesday night.
Lasogga has two goals in his last two games for Leeds and will look to continue that form at Pride Park.
As said earlier, Hernandez’s impact from the left, coupled with Saiz’s return to the team, should add further opportunity for goals and the German is showing that he is capable of taking chances when they are presented to him.
Leeds elected to go with two up front on Sunday as Caleb Ekuban slotted in as Lasogga's strike partner. What has been clear is that the striker does need another option alongside him as opposed to being isolated, and with Ekuban returning from injury and Kemar Roofe scoring again, Heckingbottom does have options.
Caleb Ekuban or Kemar Roofe?
That's another issue the Leeds boss could face depending on formation. Does he stick with Ekuban or start Roofe?
Roofe was dropped to the bench for Sunday's draw with Bristol City but grabbed the equalising goal after he entered the game as a second-half substitute.
The 25-year-old has hit a rough run of games, but has demonstrated on numerous occasions this season that he knows where the back of the net is.
Kemar Roofe is price-boosted to 11/1 to score first against Derby with Sky Bet.
Ekuban has endured a difficult first season in England as injury has severely hampered his playing time since joining the Elland Road club.
Minutes have been minimal, but he has looked lively in the little time Leeds fans have seen so far. There's a question of how many goals he can get when he does get on the board in the league and if he can also stay fit.
January signing Tyler Roberts has been dealt an injury blow and he is out for an unspecified period. Whilst unfortunate for the youngster, it presents Roofe and Ekuban with the chance to try and secure a regular first-team spot for when he returns from the sidelines.
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