Predicted Leeds United line up for Watford as Daniel Farke contemplates attacking change

Top spot is in Leeds United's sights. Daniel Farke's troops welcome Watford to Elland Road tonight knowing three points will see them replace Sunderland as leaders for at least 24 hours.

United enter the clash on the back of a five-match unbeaten run. They produced arguably their best performance of the season to date to beat promotion rivals Sheffield United last Friday so there's absolutely need for Daniel Farke to change a winning team, right?

With no fresh injury concerns, expect Illan Meslier to line up in goal and for Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Junior Firpo to make up the back four. The Whites have defensively excelled, racking up six clean sheets in 10 league outings.

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Japan international Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell look shoo-ins to start in a double pivot in the middle of the park. The duo dovetailed superbly against the Blades, giving United control with and without the ball. Although Tanaka and Rothwell are viewed as two 8s, both of them put in the hard yards out of possession to help Leeds dominate the Yorkshire derby for long periods.

“We can’t make other players out of them and I don’t want this, we want to use their skills, they are tidy on the ball with imagination and creativity going forward and also breaking the lines of the ball," said Farke. "But of course it differs when you go with a different approach so it needs a bit of time. It’s always consistent working, in the last game they got better and better and long may it continue.”

Farke has plenty of attacking talent at his disposal. With one eye on Saturday's lunchtime trip to Bristol City, it is conceivable that Farke could look to freshen up his forward line.

Attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson may be given a breather following his international exertions. It would be harsh to leave the American international out following his industrious showing last time out, but Farke knows he has got to effectively manage his resources over a 46-game season. Daniel James is itching for a recall after recovering from his injury problem. James could be utilised on the right flank and star man Wilfried Gnonto can take over the No 10 role.

Farke will probably keep faith Largie Ramazani on the left flank, despite Manor Solomon's recent return to action. Joel Piroe has contributed a goal and an assist in the past two matches and deserves to lead the line again over Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford.

Potential United line-up vs Watford: Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Rothwell, Tanaka; James, Gnonto, Ramazani; Joseph.