Leeds will host the Monegasque club at York City’s LNER Community Stadium this weekend, several months on from the teams’ encounter at Elland Road during the World Cup break last season.
Monaco ran out 4-2 winners on that occasion, but Leeds will be hoping their 9-1 behind-closed-doors victory over Barnsley last weekend can stand them in good stead for a much trickier test.
Unlike Leeds’ first friendly of the summer which ended in defeat to Manchester United, Farke will have the vast majority of his first-team squad at his disposal after the likes of Charlie Cresswell, Summerville, Gnonto and Meslier all returned for pre-season after their extended breaks.
Those participating at the Under-21 European Championships in Romania and Georgia this summer were not expected to report back for pre-season with the rest of the non-internationals in Leeds’ squad earlier this month as that particular tournament ran into July.
However, due to participation in last weekend’s Barnsley win, Farke could feasibly call on those who have only recently returned to training for this Saturday’s friendly.
Here is the YEP’s predicted line-up against Monaco.
1. GK: Kristoffer Klaesson
Norwegian 'keeper Klaesson is likely to start in goal with Joel Robles released and Meslier just returning for pre-season while his future remains very much up in the air. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images) Photo: Ashley Allen
2. RB: Cody Drameh
Drameh played right-back then left-back during the Man United friendly and is expected to continue in his more natural right-sided role this weekend. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images) Photo: Ash Donelon
3. RCB: Charlie Cresswell
Fresh from his Under-21 Euros triumph with England, Cresswell played a part in last weekend's 9-1 win over Barnsley and can be expected to line up in central defence again on Saturday. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Photo: Gareth Copley
4. LCB: Liam Cooper
Skipper Cooper appeared to have been rested for the win over League One opponents Barnsley, although with no fans or media allowed to be present, that remains unconfirmed. Still, he will have a role to play against Monaco if he is fit to feature. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images) Photo: Matthew Peters
5. LB: Max Wober
Austrian international Wober wore the armband in the win over Barnsley, per several sources, therefore it's likely he'll get the nod at left-back ahead of Pascal Struijk, Junior Firpo and Leo Hjelde. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS
6. CM: Ethan Ampadu
Ampadu from the off would be a boost for all those fortunate enough to be watching the Whites in York this Saturday. The club revealed in their press release on Wednesday that it was probable the Welsh international makes his bow in this fixture. Photo: Leeds United