Predicting Jesse Marsch's first Leeds starting XI as Whites face Leicester

Leeds United return to Premier League action on Saturday in their first game of the post-Marcelo Bielsa era.

The Elland Road board sacked the popular Argentine last Sunday, a day after their 4-0 loss to Tottenham.

Leeds moved quickly to bring in a replacement, with Jesse Marsch taking the Whites reins the next day.

Marsch isn’t expected to tear up the Bielsa blueprint – instead, he’s likely to just make a few tweaks.

Leeds are once again in early Saturday action this weekend, as they head to the Midlands to face Leicester.

Who could Marsch pick in his first ever starting XI for Leeds? The Boot Room takes a look.

Formation change

Marsch favours a 4-2-2-2 formation which makes use of two holding midfielders, as well as having two up front.

Already this looks like something Leeds need, both in terms of protecting the back four and for more bite in attack.

But as the Whites squad consists of versatile players, Marsch is unlikely to make wholesale changes in his first XI.

Illan Meslier is likely to keep his place in between the sticks.

One of Marsch’s changes could come at the back, with Diego Llorente a doubt for the game.

“Diego Llorente was not in training today, and he’s questionable for the weekend,” Marsch told Leeds Live yesterday.

Robin Koch, who started in front of the back four last time out, would replace the 28-year-old at centre-back.

Luke Ayling, Pascal Struijk and Junior Firpo are likely to keep their places in the back line.

As Kalvin Phillips isn’t ready yet, Stuart Dallas and Adam Forshaw could retain their spots in midfield.

Both can play in holding midfield, which is crucial to Marsch’s system.

Marsch could also call upon Mateusz Klich and Jamie Shackleton, as well as Lewis Bate.

However, we feel there’s no reason Dallas and Forshaw to come out of the XI at this moment in time.

Marsch’s system also relies on two attacking midfielders who can invert as well as cover the flanks.

We feel Raphinha and Jack Harrison will get the nod on Saturday, even if it means they have to tweak their roles slighly.

And in attack, we reckon Rodrigo Moreno will partner Daniel James in a front two.

This could be a big opportunity for the 30-year-old “phenomenon“.

With James doing the pressing, it could bring the best out of Rodrigo as a No. 9.