Leeds United predicted XI against Cardiff City: Kalvin Phillips returns and rare start for Tyler Roberts

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Leeds United get their promotion push back underway in South Wales this weekend, as they face Cardiff City in the Welsh capital. 

The Whites are top of the Championship and will be hoping to carry on the incredible momentum they had before the enforced break in play, where they strung together six wins on the bounce. 

The Whites’ last game was a local derby against Huddersfield Town on the 7th March but how will the Leeds United team line-up compared to the XI from that game?

Illan Meslier is likely to remain in goal with Kiko Casilla still suspended. Luke Ayling has been an ever-present at right-back this season and has showcased some of his best-ever Leeds form. Stuart Dallas has recently made the left-back position his own, ahead of Ezgjan Alioski and Barry Douglas. At centre-back, Liam Cooper will captain the side but you can expect Gaetano Berardi to drop back to the bench with Ben White slotting in alongside Cooper. 

White played in midfield against the Terriers, with Kalvin Phillips suffering a knock. The midfield dynamo is fighting fit so will undoubtedly come back into the starting XI.

On the wing, both Jack Harrison and Helder Costa look likely to continue their recent run of first-team football whilst Mateusz Klich simply never misses a game in midfield. 

Pablo Hernandez, however, is injured, so a change in attacking midfield is necessary. Tyler Roberts appears the obvious choice. The Welshman has not started a Championship game since Leeds beat Reading in November. 

However, the injury-prone attacker has been impressing in training, Adam Forshaw recently saying he was looking ‘sharp’ and could finally be about to showcase his talents with regularity. 

Patrick Bamford will surely lead the line, especially with Jean-Kevin Augustin still out injured with an exacerbated hamstring injury. 

The bench is likely to consist of Elia Caprile, Gaetano Berardi, Barry Douglas, Jamie Shackleton, Gjanni Alioski and Pascal Struijk whilst youngsters such as Ian Poveda, Mateusz Bogusz and Robbie Gotts will hope to feature. 

Leeds United Predicted XI: Meslier; Cooper, White, Dallas, Ayling; Phillips, Klich, Harrison, Costa, Roberts; Bamford.