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Joe Mewis & Beren Cross

Leeds United line-ups for Leicester City as old Marcelo Bielsa favourite gets his reprieve

Leeds United face a tough trip to the East Midlands this weekend when they take on high-flying Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

Brendan Rodgers's side sit third in the Premier League table, just two points of pace-setting Manchester City and handed Marcelo Bielsa's men a comprehensive 4-1 defeat at Elland Road this season.

The Whites head into this clash on the back of a much-needed win after they earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Newcastle on Tuesday evening, but will again be without Diego Llorente, who lasted less than 10 minutes on his full Leeds United debut.

Marcelo Bielsa gives an update on Diego Llorente

That means Bielsa will be forced into changes against the Foxes, but how should his line-up look?

Here, our Leeds United reporters share their preferred starting XIs for this weekend's clash...

Beren Cross

Another injury to Diego Llorente has put the cat among the pigeons once again in the Leeds United starting line-up.

If I were in Marcelo Bielsa’s shoes I would recall Mateusz Klich after his rare exclusion from the team on Tuesday night on Tyneside.

It is difficult to argue with his experience, class or familiarity with the way Bielsa likes this Leeds team to play. It just seems the obvious play to make.

Mateusz Klich, Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas all start in new roles on Sunday (Peter Powell - Pool/Getty Images)

I also prefer Stuart Dallas at full-back, so he would slot in at right-back with Luke Ayling shifted across into central defence, where he has performed so admirably this season.

In light of how difficult the Whites seem to have found this month, the temptation to roll the dice again with Pablo Hernandez is significant.

It’s been a little while now since Patrick Bamford last turned heads with his forward play. Bringing Hernandez in and pushing Rodrigo forward would definitely be the leftfield choice.

However, Bamford still just about has enough credit in the bank to go again in pursuit of the goal trail.

Beren's XI: Meslier; Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski; Phillips; Raphinha, Klich, Rodrigo, Harrison; Bamford.

Joe Mewis

To Struijk or not to Struijk? Luckless Diego Llorente's latest injury setback realistically means that Marcelo Bielsa has either makes a like-for-like change and brings in the young Dutchman, or has something of a reshuffle.

Luke Ayling has been one of Leeds' best central defenders this season and I'd swing to moving him back into the middle of the Leeds defence to partner Liam Cooper. That would then see Stuart Dallas moving back to right-back, with Mateusz Klich returning to his usual position after Tuesday night's surprise absence.

The sum of this combination's parts offers more in defence and going forward and with Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi absent I'd be tempted to go down this route.

The rest of the line-up picks itself, with Leeds' wingers putting in match-winning contributions against Newcastle and Patrick Bamford still with plenty of credit in the bank despite his longest goalscoring drought of the season.

Joe's XI: Meslier; Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski; Phillips; Raphinha, Klich, Rodrigo, Harrison; Bamford

Now it’s your turn to have your say on how you think Leeds United should line up against the Foxes on Sunday afternoon.

Choose your preferred starting Leeds XI by using the team selector above.

And don’t forget to share your starting lineup with us on our Twitter and Facebook channels or in the comments below.

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