Leeds United made eight changes from their midweek EFL Cup defeat at Chelsea as Daniel Farke named his side for the Premier League meeting with Newcastle United at Elland Road.

James Trafford returned in goal in place of Michael Zetterer, while James Justin, Nico Elvedi and Tarik Muharemović formed a three-man defence. Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson were selected as the wing-backs.

Ethan Ampadu captained Leeds on his 26th birthday, with Ao Tanaka and Anton Stach joining him in midfield. The trio were handed the task of controlling the central areas against Newcastle’s Lewis Miley and Nico González.

Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the attack, with Calvert-Lewin aiming to add to his strong record against Newcastle. Leeds entered the match unbeaten in the league after draws with Brentford and Brighton, and knew that victory would lift them into the Premier League’s top four.

Farke’s selection marked a return to the team that began the previous Premier League outing at Brighton, following the heavy rotation used in the 6–3 Carabao Cup defeat at Chelsea.