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Leeds expected XI v Rotherham

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Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa is expected to ring the changes for when his side return to Championship action against Rotherham at Elland Road on Saturday.

In total, the Whites boss is likely to make seven changes from the side that beat Bolton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday afternoon as he reverts to a similar line-up that won 4-1 at Derby last week – however the only exception could be that Pontus Jansson starts at centre-back over Gaetano Berardi.

Tom Pearce, Jamie Shackleton, Tyler Roberts and the four summer signings of Jamal Blackman, Lewis Baker, Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford could all be dropped from the side, even though they booked Leeds’ spot in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell is expected to start between the sticks behind a back-four of Luke Ayling, Jansson, Liam Cooper and Barry Douglas.

Kalvin Phillips is likely to keep his spot in the deeper-lying midfield position, while Samuel Saiz could also stay in the starting line-up alongside the returning Mateusz Klich in the more advanced roles.

Pablo Hernandez and Ezgjan Alioski are likely to start on the wings while Kemar Roofe, after a man of the match display at Derby last week, is pretty much nailed-on to return to Bielsa’s starting line-up.

Leeds’ last meeting with Rotherham came in January 2017 when Garry Monk’s side won 3-0 at Elland Road.

Chris Wood’s brace and a goal by Kyle Bartley earned the points on that occasion, and the fans will no doubt be expecting a similarly straightforward result this weekend with Bielsa’s men in such a rich vein of form.

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