Leeds play Stoke in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night just three days after beating them 3-0 at the bet365 Stadium in the Championship.
It’s unlikely to get any easier for Stoke at Elland Road, which is illustrated if you visit stoixima24 to place a bet. Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa is likely to make a number of changes for the cup game but he has a much stronger squad this season, especially in attack.
Eddie Nketiah and Helder Costa haven’t started in the Championship yet and they’ll be desperate to make a mark on Tuesday.
Jack Clarke hasn’t even been getting in the matchday squad in the league but we’re expecting to see him out on the left on Tuesday night.
Goalkeeper
New goalkeeper signing Illan Meslier, 19, didn’t play in the first round of the Carabao Cup against Salford but Bielsa is likely to give him his debut for the Stoke game. Kiko Casilla has played well this season but can have a rest.
Defenders
Liam Cooper missed the game at the weekend and Bielsa is unlikely to risk him in the cup even if he is fit. Likewise, Stuart Dallas, who was suffering with a muscle problem ahead of Saturday’s game. He played but is likely to rest on Tuesday.
Instead, Bielsa should name the same back four from the first round of the cup, with Ezgjan Alioski on the left, Leif Davis and Ben White in the centre, and Gaetano Berardi on the right.
Midfielders
Kalvin Phillips has an engine and is running games so effortlessly at the moment we expect to see him in his normal defensive mid position on Tuesday. Mateusz Klich and Jamie Shackleton should take the advanced roles.
Attackers
Eddie Nketiah has two goals from three games despite not starting in the Championship yet. He looks a real handful and will be keen to keep his goal-scoring record going, while pushing for a starting place in the league. Both his goals have come from crosses from Helder Costa, who is also still waiting for his first league start. Both should line-up against Stoke on Tuesday and they have the power to heap even more pressure on Nathan Jones. Jack Clarke should get a run out on the left.
TiF verdict
It’s tough to see past Leeds at the moment even if Bielsa makes these six predicted changes. Costa and Nketiah have goals in them and Stoke are looking abject at the moment.
Leeds 2 – Stoke 0
This is the starting XI we’re expecting to see at Elland Road on Tuesday night:
