Sunday 17th September 12:00pm | The Den
Leeds face a trip to South-East London on Sunday, hoping to tame Gary Rowett's Lions, and climb their way to the top half of the table. The two sides last met three seasons ago. Millwall edged past ten men Leeds in Bermondsey, though Bielsa's Whites got their revenge in a five goal thriller later that season. The hatred between the two clubs are well documented, but the return of Jamie Shackleton and Charlie Cresswell may soften the mood somewhat. The duo spent last season on loan at Millwall, helping them to an eighth place finish, a point shy from the play offs.
Leeds are a point, and three places below their bitter rivals, but have a very different side to the one(s) Bielsa put out against the Lions that season. Only Bamford, Cooper and Ayling have survived the tests of time, but all three are set to miss out. Cooper and Bamford are both recovering from injury, whilst new signing Djed Spence is expected to replace Ayling at right-back. Charlie Cresswell will probably start on the bench, with Farke preferring Messrs Roden and Struijk as the centre back pairing.
Junior Firpo is nearing a return to action, but having not played since last season, is likely to start on the bench, once he regains his fitness. With Dallas and Byram sidelined, the gaffer may call on either Leo Hjelde (who impressed on International duty recently with Norway's U21's) or Jamie Shackleton (as an inverted left wing-back) as cover.
It has been rumoured that Archie Gray will drop to the bench in favour of either Glen Kamara or Ilia Gruev, with fellow new recruit Jaidon Anthony also expecting game time on Sunday. Farke needs to decide on either Joel Piroe or Georginio Rutter for the number nine role, which could see the young Frenchman dropping to the bench after a disappointing show against Sheffield Wednesday, before the International break.
Casper de Norre may return to action for Millwall. He returned to the bench against high flying Birmingham City before the International break. Fellow midfielder George Honeyman misses out with a quad problem. Recent purchases Allan Campbell and Ryan Longman will be hoping to make their debut's for the home side.
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Our fans went crackers in the Leeds end, lots of taunts as the Wall fans streamed out of the ground giving us the fingers.
I know expected goals (xG) are not the end-all-be-all, but thought for the match thread these were some interesting stats and food for thought:
