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Joe Mewis & Joe Donnohue

Leeds United line-ups for Southampton as Kalvin Phillips question gets definitively answered

Leeds United return to action on Tuesday night when they host Southampton at Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa will again be without Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo for the clash as they look to get back to winning ways following back-to-back defeats.

Here, our Leeds United reporters share their preferred starting line-ups...

Joe Mewis

It will be back to a back-three for Leeds on Tuesday evening to combat Southampton's two-man frontline and Marcelo Bielsa will again have to make do without Kalvin Phillips.

The fact that Leeds' record without the England midfielder reads played six, won one, lost five should ensure no complacency sets in against a Saints side who have not won in seven matches, but the display at Molineux was encouraging.

Marcelo Bielsa on Tyler Roberts recent form

It is clear from today's press conference that Bielsa sees Diego Llorente as a bone fide Phillips alternative, but it does feel like the luckless Spaniard needs easing in, given his injury problems.

Jamie Shackleton and Matuesz Klich shared defensive midfield duties against Wolves and can do so again alongside the ever-dependable Stuart Dallas.

Tyler Roberts is big question mark, with the choice being to include him behind the forward line, or bring Klich forward and bring Gjanni Alioski back. But the Welshman's recent performances have been encouraging and he has the feel of a player who is beginning to benefit from a run in the side.

Joe M's XI (3-3-1-3): Meslier; Ayling, Cooper, Struijk; Shackleton, Dallas, Klich; Roberts; Raphinha, Harrison, Bamford

Joe Donnohue

Leeds must not be fooled into thinking that due to Southampton's poor form, this will be a straightforward task. The Saints' use of two strikers most weeks means Bielsa will likely set up with a three-man back-line, a formation Leeds tend to have struggled in this season.

Factor in the absence of Kalvin Phillips and it is quite the level playing field at Elland Road on Tuesday. Meslier bounced back with a fine, if extremel unfortunate, display at Molineux, while the impressive trio of Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk and Luke Ayling will likely make up the back three despite Bielsa confirming Llorente is available.

Jamie Shackleton's 96% pass accuracy against Wolves means he quite literally hardly put a foot wrong last time out, and in a midfield trio alongside Klich and Dallas, should be a shoe-in to start once again.

Tyler Roberts' form in the past two games means he deserves to stay in the XI, ahead of Pablo Hernandez, while the front three of Bamford, Harrison and Raphinha are all dead certainties to start.

Joe D's XI (3-3-1-3): Meslier; Ayling, Cooper, Struijk; Shackleton, Dallas, Klich; Roberts; Raphinha, Harrison; Bamford

Now it’s your turn to have your say on how you think Leeds United should line up against the Seagulls on Saturday 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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