OPINION
It’s three defeats on the spin now for Leeds and manager Marcelo Bielsa is facing a huge test against Frank Lampard’s Derby on Friday night.
History is on their side – they smashed Derby 4-1 in just the second-half of the season – but neither side is on a great run of form at the moment.
Derby have only won one in the last six but they still lie sixth in the Championship and will be a real threat at Elland Road.
A fourth defeat in a row would be alarming for Leeds and they were hit with two more injury blows at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
Barry Douglas is out and playmaker Pablo Hernandez is a major doubt and expected to miss the game. Bielsa said that Tyler Roberts would deputise for Hernandez and Leif Davis is expected to hold onto his place at left-back.
One plus is that Liam Cooper is fit to come back in after he played 65 minutes for the Under-23s on Monday.
This solves a big problem with Kalvin Phillips suspended for his red card. Adam Forshaw should take the defensive midfield position, with Luke Ayling out on the right.
We don’t think we’re going to see Lewis Baker again, amid reports the 23-year-old is set to be recalled by Chelsea. He’s flopped at Elland Road and won’t be a big loss.
The other big question is over attacker Jack Clarke. He finally got his first start in the FA Cup game but we think he’ll be used as a sub again on Friday, with Jack Harrison on the right and Ezgjan Alioski on the left.
Mateusz Klich and Kemar Roofe should round out the attack.
This is the starting XI we expect Bielsa to put out in the huge game on Friday night:
