Marcelo Bielsa names Leeds lineup for Preston North End clash

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In comments reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Marcelo Bielsa has suggested that he plans to name the same starting lineup for Leeds United’s clash with Preston North End to the one that won at the weekend.

The Whites got back to winning ways against Birmingham City at Elland Road. Kalvin Phillips scored the game’s only goal on the day Leeds continued its centenary celebrations.

The fans may have been hoping for some changes for the trip to Deepdale. Pablo Hernandez missed the game at the weekend due to injury, and some may have hoped that Eddie Nketiah would replace Patrick Bamford up front.

However, Bielsa has confirmed that he does not plan to make any changes to his lineup for Tuesday night.

It is a major blow for Leeds to not have Hernandez. He has perhaps not been at his best so far this season. But he is still one of the best players in the division, and the piece of magic that he hides up his sleeve could make such a difference to a Whites side that is not scoring a lot of goals.

Meanwhile, some may question the decision to keep faith with Bamford. Nketiah is still awaiting his first Championship start for the Whites.

Bamford has not scored since August. His seven-game run without a goal does not tell the whole story regarding his form. But it is a worrying statistic.

And with Nketiah proving a real point over the international break, Bamford is surely going to need to replicate his performance from last season’s trip to Preston if he hopes to keep his place.