Leeds predicted lineup vs Palace: Struijk returns as Klich and Hernandez reignite partnership

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If there is one thing Leeds United fans can guarantee following Monday’s game, it is that Marcelo Bielsa is unlikely to make any rash decisions based off the scoreline from their clash with Leicester City.

It was ultimately a heavy defeat for the Whites at Elland Road. In fact, Leicester handed Bielsa his joint-heaviest loss since he arrived in Yorkshire in 2018.

However, there were some positives for Leeds. And there will also some extenuating circumstances concerning the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Rodrigo Moreno and Raphinha that Bielsa had to take into consideration.

Those factors should ensure therefore, that Leeds do not ring the changes for when they face Crystal Palace in their next game on Saturday.

Nevertheless, it seems entirely likely that Leeds will not go into the game unchanged either.

It proved to be a tough night for Jamie Shackleton against the Foxes. So perhaps the youngster will be the one to drop out of the lineup at Selhurst Park.

That could allow Pascal Struijk to return into the midfield. But, perhaps more importantly, it may also allow Mateusz Klich to return to a more familiar role.

Klich has been deployed deeper since Struijk was substituted in the early stages of the Whites’ win over Aston Villa last month. And while he has impressed in the role, he has arguably not been as influential as when he is playing as a number eight.

Struijk’s return would allow him to push forward. But it would also see Klich get the chance to properly link up with Pablo Hernandez once again.

The pair were superb when they played near each other last season. And Hernandez showed glimpses of his brilliance against Leicester.

So perhaps having the pair working together slightly further up the pitch on Saturday – for the first time since the opening day – may help Leeds put the pain of Monday’s result behind them.

With that in mind, here is an initial guess at how Leeds may look this weekend…