Leeds United will look to extend their winning run in the Championship to four matches when they face another in-form side in Aston Villa at Villa Park on Thursday night.
Following their disappointing 2-0 defeat against fellow high-flyers Brighton earlier this month, Garry Monk’s men have tasted success in three games on the bounce including their comprehensive 4-1 victory against Preston North End at Deepdale on Boxing Day, which included four different goalscorers for the visitors – Kemar Roofe, Hadi Sacko, Souleymane Doukara and Pablo Hernandez.
The Whites are fifth – eight points behind second-placed Newcastle United and two points ahead of seventh-placed Derby County – but they face a tough task in picking up all three points again when they make the trip south to face Villa, who are unbeaten at Villa Park this term.
Football FanCast pick the Leeds XI that will make it four consecutive wins vs Steve Bruce’s side…
GK: Rob Green
After keeping two clean sheets in his last three Championship matches, Green is showing why he is rated as one of the best goalkeepers in the division.
The former England international is one of the main reasons Leeds are holding their own in the play-off places, and he was unlucky not to pick up a third successive shutout against Preston when Marnick Vermijl’s 20-yard strike flew past him in his side’s 4-1 victory.
RB: Luke Ayling
The right-back has been part of a largely consistent Leeds back four this season, and he has deservedly established himself in Garry Monk’s first choice backline.
While he offers a threat going forward, Ayling also brings a real quality with his defensive abilities. He will potentially have to keep a close eye on Leandro Bacuna, who scored a bullet header from the left-hand side in Aston Villa’s win against Burton on Boxing Day.
CB: Pontus Jansson
The Swede’s partnership with Kyle Bartley has been one of the main reasons Leeds United have been so solid defensively this season, helping the side concede just once in their last three matches as they continue to cement their spot in the Championship play-off positions.
As well as his contribution at the back, Jansson is also a threat at the other end of the pitch, as he showed when his goal-bound header was turned into the net by teammate Kemar Roofe.
CB: Kyle Bartley
Alongside Jansson at the heart of the Leeds defence, Bartley has proven that he is one of the best centre-backs in the Championship this season. The Swansea loanee has been one of the keys to Leeds keeping out the goals.
As well as his dominance at the back, the former Arsenal man has been heavily involved in the club’s last two matches – scoring a last-minute winner in the 1-0 win against Brentford, before Jermaine Beckford was sent off for kicking out at him in the 4-1 success at Preston on Boxing Day.
LB: Charlie Taylor
After limping off during the 1-0 win against Brentford at Elland Road with an Achilles injury, Taylor was left out of the squad altogether for the win at Preston with Domenico Berardi filling in at left-back.
However, the highly-rated left-sided player is expected to be fit again for the trip to Aston Villa, and with the threat of Albert Adomah to deal with, Garry Monk will want his first choice No.3 back in the team at Villa Park.
DM: Liam Bridcutt
After missing the majority of the season because of a foot injury, Leeds’ captain is fighting fit and really starting to make an impression in the middle of the park for the Championship high-flyers.
Providing protection to Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson behind him, the side has looked even more solid than usual in recent weeks, which has also allowed their forward players to flourish – as was shown in the 4-1 thrashing of Preston on Boxing Day.
DM: Kalvin Phillips
The youngster had a spell alongside 18-year-old Ronaldo Vieira in the centre of the park earlier in the campaign, but following the return of skipper Bridcutt, it is Phillips that has maintained his place in midfield.
Alongside his captain, the 21-year-old has thrived during Leeds’ recent run of impressive results and he will look to help his side continue their winning run when they travel to face Aston Villa on Thursday.
RAM: Hadi Sacko
The winger has been one of Leeds’ main attacking threats during their recent winning run and he scored a brilliant goal in the 4-1 win against Preston on Boxing Day.
Despite finding the net, Sacko was substituted just after half-time with the introduction of Pablo Hernandez helping the side defensively. But Garry Monk should use Sacko’s pace to counter-attack against an Aston Villa side that will surely look to go forward from the off at home.
CAM: Kemar Roofe
After failing to score in his first 22 appearances for the club following his £3m move from Oxford United in the summer, Roofe has certainly gained confidence following his first goal in the reverse fixture against Aston Villa at the start of the month.
The attacking midfielder scored one and assisted one in the 4-1 win against Preston on Boxing Day, and Garry Monk will be hoping that he can be as influential for the trip to Villa Park.
LAM: Stuart Dallas
Following the injury to Chris Wood which saw Souleymane Doukara move to the striker’s position, it is Dallas that has filled in on the left-hand side – and he has impressed.
After being part of an attacking performance that saw Leeds score four times in the comprehensive win against Preston, the Northern Ireland winger should get another start at Villa Park.
ST: Souleymane Doukara
Even though Leeds’ top goalscorer Chris Wood came on and got an assist in the 4-1 against Preston following a spell on the sidelines with injury, Doukara deserves another chance up top at Villa Park.
The 25-year-old scored a brilliant solo goal at Deepdale and his all-round play helped Garry Monk’s men create a number of goalscoring chances – he could cause Villa’s central defensive partnership of James Chester and Nathan Baker real problems on Thursday.