OPINION
Leeds get their pre-season underway on Wednesday night when they take on York City and the line-up that Marcelo Bielsa picks will be of huge interest to Leeds fans.
Nine of the starters from the first pre-season game last year against Forest Green went on to line-up in the first Championship game against Stoke (Adam Forshaw was injured and Barry Douglas started in place of Stuart Dallas) and Bielsa is a manager who likes to stick with a set group of players.
There’s also a lot of speculation going around Leeds at the moment about two of their star players – Kalvin Phillips and Kemar Roofe.
Phillips has been linked with a move to Aston Villa, although Leeds have reportedly put a £30million price tag on him and opened talks on a new contract. However, it was reported by Football Insider that the offer is a long way off what Phillips wants.
Fans will be desperate to see him in the line-up tonight along with Roofe, who has been linked with a £5million move to Rangers.
The other big questions are at the back. Kiko Casilla was the number one keeper after he signed from Real Madrid in January but put in some questionable performances late on in the season. We think he’ll start tonight but if Bailey Peacock-Farrell gets the gloves tonight there could be a shock in store for the veteran keeper.
With Pontus Jansson leaving for Brentford, Ben White should line-up alongside Liam Cooper in the centre of defence, and we think Barry Douglas will get the nod in front of Ezgjan Alioski on the left.
Tyler Roberts finished the season strongly but he may well miss out tonight with new signing Helder Costa pushing Pablo Hernandez into the centre.
This is the strongest side we think Bielsa can put out against York City tonight:
