Lukas Nmecha starts: Leeds predicted XI vs Sheffield Wednesday
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(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media)
Edward Bazeley
Tue 26 August 2025 9:00, UK
Daniel Farke could name an experimental lineup when Leeds United face Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
After beating Everton 1-0 in their opening Premier League fixture, Leeds were thrashed 5-0 by Arsenal on Saturday, 23 August.
Farke’s men face a key opportunity to bounce back from their poor performance in North London when they play Championship opposition on 26 August.
A trio of summer signings, Lucas Perri, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Anton Stach, were named in Farke’s lineup when Leeds were beaten by Arsenal, whereas fellow recent acquisitions Sean Longstaff, Lukas Nmecha, and Noah Okafor all featured as substitutes.
Farke is vying to lead his side to victory over Sheffield Wednesday (Credit Imago)
While the Elland Road club have been busy in the summer transfer market, Tuesday’s trip to Hillsborough allows them to call upon more of last season’s Championship title-winning stars.
Consequently, Farke could give Karl Darlow the nod in goal, while Sam Byram may start at left-back over Gudmundsson.
Contrastingly, Leeds’ clash with Sheffield Wednesday also gives the German the chance to select summer signings like Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw, who have not yet featured in the Premier League.
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Meanwhile, the West Yorkshire club have been hindered by injuries to Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu, making it likely that Sean Longstaff can enjoy his first start in midfield.
Elsewhere, Joel Piroe could be rested, allowing Nmecha to lead the line for the first time since joining Leeds from Wolfsburg.
Leeds predicted XI
Football Insider verdict
Leeds displayed their defensive shortcomings when they were put to the sword by Arsenal on 23 August.
OpponentDateSheffield Wednesday (A)26/08Newcastle (H)30/08Fulham (A)13/09Leeds face Sheffield Wednesday next
However, Tuesday’s trip to South Yorkshire sees the Whites take on a financially troubled Sheffield Wednesday outfit, who have earned just one point from three Championship games.
The Owls displayed their fighting spirit when they came back from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 draw at Wrexham on 23 August, but Leeds should have too much quality for Henrik Pedersen’s side.
Farke’s men got the better of the Hillsborough club in both of their Championship clashes last term, most recently winning 3-0 at Elland Road in January.
Since then, the Whites have added more quality to their squad to help them acclimatise to the Premier League, whereas Sheffield Wednesday have lost former boss Danny Rohl and several star players, thanks to Dejphon Chansiri’s financial woes.
Meanwhile, former goalkeeper Paul Robinson has weighed in on what the news that the West Yorkshire club are set to sign James Justin means for fellow right-back Jayden Bogle in an MOT Leeds News excusive.
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