Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa (Getty Images)
It’s a clash between the Premier League new boys as Leeds United welcome Fulham on Saturday. Both teams started their season with a loss but it was Leeds United who showed more mettle as they almost forced a draw against Liverpool.
Fulham on the other hand were beaten comprehensively by Arsenal. Leeds look much the stronger team and will be hoping to open their Premier League account in this game.
Apart from Adam Forshaw, Marcelo Bielsa will have a full-strength team to pick from. Captain Liam Cooper will also be available to return to the line-up after missing out on the opening gameweek. A lot of changes were seen in the midweek game against Hull City but we can expect most of the first-team players to return to the fold this time.
Meslier will return in goal after Kiko Casilla got an outing in the midweek.
Luke Ayling should return to his natural right-back position after featuring against Liverpool in central defence.
Captain Cooper will be hoping to get his first start of the season. He takes the place of Luke Ayling, who featured in central defence against Liverpool.
It was either Koch or Strujik to make way, with Liam Cooper returning. New signing Robin Koch makes the cut ahead of the youngster. Bielsa will expect him to not fling out his arm at the ball again to concede a penalty.
Another returnee, Dallas should start at left-back against Fulham this weekend.
The Englishman is having a dream year with everything working his way. He retains his place at the base of the midfield as the defensive midfielder.
Harrison scored the first goal for Leeds United in their return to the English top-flight. He will look to add to that tally this time against Fulham.
He almost broke Liverpool hearts with his equalizer and would have gone on to become the hero of the day had Leeds not conceded another. An experienced man for Leeds, Kilch will be one of the two central midfielders.
A lot of Leeds’ attacks will depend on the Spanish veteran as he looks to dictate the play from the middle.
A constant menace down the right, Helder Costa will look to do the same against Fulham.
Perhaps a bit harsh on Patrick Bamford who scored in the Liverpool game but it is likely that the new signing will get his first Premier League start on Saturday.
