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Joe Mewis

Predicted Leeds United line-up for Crystal Palace as change in formation beckons

Marcelo Bielsa is again without three of Leeds United's four major summer signings as he puts together his final preparations to face Crystal Palace on Monday evening.

Record signing Rodrigo faces 'weeks not days' out with the groin injury he picked up against Leicester, while defensive duo Diego Llorente and Robin Koch continue their recoveries.

That means Raphinha - who was probably seen as the least essential summer purchase at the time - is the only of one of Leeds United' summer 2020 new faces currently available.

Given the Brazilian's recent spellbinding form, that will be something of a relief for Bielsa, who is looking for his side to return to winning ways following Wednesday evening's narrow defeat to Everton.

Bielsa discusses the Elland Road pitch

Roy Hodgson has operated with two strikers for the majority of the season, so that will mean a change in formation for Bielsa, but it's unlikely to see any change in personnel.

Should Palace got two up-front, it will mean Illan Meslier will have a three-man defence in front of him that will likely see Luke Ayling resume centre-back duties alongside Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper.

It would make sense for Stuart Dallas and Gjanni Alioski to fill the wing-back roles, with Kalvin Phillips operating in his usual position at the base of the midfield.

Rodrigo's absence means Mateusz Klich should get the chance to try and rediscover his form following his brief spell out of the starting line-up, while the aforementioned Raphinha is possibly the first name on the teamsheet these days. Jack Harrison has two goals in Leeds' last three matches and will operate the other flank.

Patrick Bamford, who has again been the subject of England speculation this week, will again lead the line.

Predicted line-up (3-3-3-1): Meslier; Ayling, Struijk, Cooper; Dallas, Phillips, Alioski; Raphinha, Klich, Harrison; Bamford

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