There are just five days between Leeds United and the opening day of the Premier League campaign at Liverpool with interest mounting in who Marcelo Bielsa will select.
The top flight’s Fantasy Premier League game means there are millions of new people intrigued by who they should pick from the Whites and why.
It has been a disrupted pre-season period for the Whites and many other sides dealing with players missing on international duty, along with new faces like Rodrigo's and Robin Koch's.
That pair, who signed on August 29, would have only linked up with the rest of their team-mates for the first time today at the earliest.
As a result, we do not expect too much to change between the side which won the Championship and the team which starts the Premier League term.
Injuries and pre-season may alter a few close calls, but, as it stands, this is how we expect United to line up on that opening weekend, given what history says about the tactical familiarity Bielsa demands in those he starts.
Expected formation: 4-1-4-1
Goalkeeper: Illan Meslier
One of the few positions which felt like it could have been decided on the flip of a coin. Kiko Casilla is the more experienced and senior goalkeeper, but Meslier performed excellently while the Spaniard was banned at the end of last term.
Meslier is confident and proved himself on the pitch, while Casilla’s status within the squad after last season’s racism allegations poses question marks.
Most recently, United have only played in two friendlies we know about and Casilla did not cover himself in glory during either.
Right-back: Stuart Dallas
A role affected by Koch's very limited time with Bielsa at the heart of defence. Dallas is expected to start the season in one of the full-back positions, but Koch's limited time under the Argentine and alongside Liam Cooper may mean it's the right.
The Northern Ireland international played much of the title-winning campaign at left-back and excelled, but as it stands, he would be needed on his more natural side because of the problem in the middle.
Centre-backs: Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper
With the departure of White and Gaetano Berardi out of contract, there are very few experienced heads to play alongside captain Cooper in central defence.
Ayling, the first-choice right-back, looks the simplest fit in the middle with the alternatives being under-23 regulars Pascal Struijk or Oliver Casey.
Nothing about Bielsa's time at Elland Road guarantees Koch will start away at the Premier League champions after three days training with the head coach.
Left-back: Barry Douglas
This may be the biggest call Bielsa makes as far as FPL managers are concerned. With the shifting around mentioned above, it leaves a hole at left-back for someone out of favour to start the season.
Douglas is the most natural fit, but Ezgjan Alioski, a tireless winger Bielsa has moulded into a full-back, is also a favourite of the head coach’s.
In the Championship, Alioski would have been the expected option here, but in the top flight, with more defensive work to do, there is every chance Bielsa opts for Douglas, who is better in his own half.
Douglas also has the advantage of having been around for the past week and not on international duty. He started at left-back against Stoke City and Pacos de Ferreira last week.
If this happens, Douglas becomes a major asset to fantasy players because of his cut-price £4m value.
Defensive midfielder: Kalvin Phillips
A fans’ favourite and arguably the team’s most important player, but beyond set-pieces, Phillips is unlikely to be much of an asset for FPL managers.
Right-wing: Helder Costa
Started all but five league games since late September. Ended the season with injury, but already played in the last two friendlies and looked fine.
Central midfielders: Mateusz Klich and Pablo Hernandez
Klich had a run of 92 consecutive league starts ended in the penultimate game of 2019/20 after a few days of celebrating promotion. He is nailed on.
Hernandez’s minutes were managed during the run-in because of a nagging hamstring injury, though he still delivered goals and assists from the bench. If he proves his fitness, he starts.
Left-wing: Jack Harrison
Like Klich, Harrison started more than 60 league games in a row until he was pulled in the penultimate match of last season. May prove the best-value attacking pick at £5.5m.
Striker: Patrick Bamford
Even with Rodrigo, Spain's number nine, in the building, many would be surprised if he started ahead of Bamford at Anfield, such is Bielsa’s liking and loyalty to him. Misses many chances, but plays a crucial role in the way the team plays.
As with Koch, it would not be Bielsa's style to throw Rodrigo in from the start after three days training with his team-mates.
