OPINION
Marcelo Bielsa should make two changes to his starting line-up if he wants to name Leeds United’s best possible side to face Wigan at Elland Road on Friday afternoon.
If Liam Cooper is fit and ready to play them he must return and replace Gaetano Berardi at centre-back.
Cooper, 27, missed the 1-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday last week due to injury, but if he is available then he needs to start against Wigan to give Leeds their best possible defensive line.
In the second change, Patrick Bamford should be axed after a poor showing against the Owls last week.
Leeds’ highest-earning player [Phil Hay] was not at the races last time out and with Kemar Roofe now fit and ready for selection, he should be picked to spearhead Bielsa’s attack for the meeting with Wigan.
Kiko Casilla is a no-brainer to start in goals and he should have a back-four in front of him of Luke Ayling, Pontus Jansson, Cooper and Ezgjan Alioski.
Kalvin Phillips and Mateusz Klich have been one of the best central midfield pairings in the Championship this season and it would make no sense to chance them two around.
Pablo Hernandez and Jack Harrison, who scored the winner against Sheffield Wednesday, should start on both of the wings with Tyler Roberts in the No 10 role behind Roofe.
Bielsa would see Leeds destroy Wigan if he makes these changes to his starting line-up on Friday.
Earning three points and improving the club’s goal difference could prove pivotal as the race for automatic promotion enters it’s final few weeks.