Predicted Leeds United XI to face Hull City…

Leeds United’s second game of the hectic Easter weekend comes against Hull City on Monday.

Daniel Farke’s side will be hosting a Tigers side winless in their last five Championship matches but still very much in the running to finish in the top six.

Given the short turnaround from Friday night’s 2-2 draw at Watford, Farke may be tempted to make some changes to his side at Elland Road in order to keep things fresh.

Neither Willy Gnonto or Connor Roberts will be fit enough to return, but there is hope Ilia Gruev could be available if the swelling on his ankle reduces in the next 48 hours.

Here is our predicted XI for another huge match in the promotion run-in.

Goalkeeper

Illan Meslier could not do anything with either goal at Vicarage Road last night and obviously keeps his place in goal.

Defence

Farke has no other choice but to return to the centre-back partnership of Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu, which has done so well together since the turn of the new year.

Liam Cooper was handed his first start since January 1 at Watford but simply has to come out of the starting XI as his performance proved he is not good enough.

Junior Firpo made a really strong impact from the bench having been unable to start due to his late return from international duty, and so replaces Sam Byram. Archie Gray starts on the right.

Midfield

Farke seemed cautiously optimistic Gruev could return on Monday and in no way did he completely rule him out.

If he is passed fit to play he simply has to return to the XI in that holding midfield role, with Glen Kamara continuing alongside him.

Attack

Based on Gnonto’s form over the last couple of months, losing him for the next three weeks is a bitter pill to swallow for Farke.

Dan James was not great during the draw at Watford but has done the bulk of his best work on home soil this season, so continues on the right. Crysencio Summerville was superb last night, and starts on the other flank.

Georginio Rutter was clearly still feeling his way back to full fitness after minor surgery but another 48 hours of recovery should hopefully have him closer to 100 per cent.

Mateo Joseph undoubtedly deserves a start after salvaging Leeds a point from the bench, but Patrick Bamford almost certainly leads the line again.

Predicted XI: Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara; James, Rutter, Summerville, Bamford.

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