The Premier League trapdoor could yet swallow both of these clubs, although the Cherries’ three wins in their last four games might well see them safe now. Victories over fellow strugglers Leicester City and Southampton, and a 3-2 away triumph at Tottenham Hotspur, have lifted Gary O'Neil’s men to 14th and 36 points, six more than Leeds have accrued and seven more than the 18th-placed Foxes.
Victory is a must for Leeds, who are winless in four and face a trio of top-five clubs in the four fixtures that follow Sunday’s trip to the coast. Now, more than ever, Gracia must get his selection and his tactics right in order to keep Leeds’ heads above water.
The obvious talking point when the team sheet lands this weekend will be Willy Gnonto and where he finds himself. If he’s on the bench again then the clamour among supporters for the winger’s inclusion will only be silenced by a win and a positive contribution from whoever plays in the attacking spots. Gracia’s other big choice comes in midfield, where Leeds have struggled to control games and retain possession. Adam Forshaw is evidently not fit enough to play 90 minutes but did not see any action in the midweek draw with Leicester City.
Here’s the predicted XI, versus the YEP’s suggested side.
The obvious talking point when the team sheet lands this weekend will be Willy Gnonto and where he finds himself. If he’s on the bench again then the clamour among supporters for the winger’s inclusion will only be silenced by a win and a positive contribution from whoever plays in the attacking spots. Gracia’s other big choice comes in midfield, where Leeds have struggled to control games and retain possession. Adam Forshaw is evidently not fit enough to play 90 minutes but did not see any action in the midweek draw with Leicester City.
![Although he's also a YEP suggestion, Roca is no longer a player who starts simply on reputation or merit because his form has not been good, so there's an element of 'who else is there?' at play. Leeds need his ball-playing ability and they need him on song.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjU5ZTg2MWEwLWJiZTItNDZhMS05YTdmLThiYjI4Y2U0YjYxNjpjMzcyODU3MS1lNzQzLTQ2OTMtYWE1YS1hZTA1Y2JjMWUzMmM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
7. Prediction: Marc Roca
Although he's also a YEP suggestion, Roca is no longer a player who starts simply on reputation or merit because his form has not been good, so there's an element of 'who else is there?' at play. Leeds need his ball-playing ability and they need him on song.Photo: Tony Johnson
![This is perhaps where the team-sheet and our suggested XI might differ. Gracia stuck with McKennie despite his woeful display at Fulham and he was better against Leicester, but we would put Forshaw in here. Even if only for the first 45 minutes to set the tone and take control. Ball retention is key.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZiOTJmZGIzLTQzZGEtNDcyMS1iMzZmLWM3OTExOWRjNDFjMjplYzVhNTBlYy0xM2NmLTQxOWUtOWI5Mi1lMTA2ZjA0NDA3ZTY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
8. Prediction: Weston McKennie
This is perhaps where the team-sheet and our suggested XI might differ. Gracia stuck with McKennie despite his woeful display at Fulham and he was better against Leicester, but we would put Forshaw in here. Even if only for the first 45 minutes to set the tone and take control. Ball retention is key.Photo: Bruce Rollinson
![You can't take him out, really, can you? The YEP wouldn't. He came up with a big assist on Tuesday and worked his socks off again. Expect him to have a key goal or contribution in him in these upcoming games. He's got form for it, even if consistency has been an issue.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjRkMDhlZWM0LTFhYjUtNGUxMC1hYTZmLWE3ZjNjYzExZTc4ZDo5NTc0MjMzYS1iMTk3LTRiNTgtYjA3Mi0yNjdkYjUxMTAxODU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
9. Prediction: Jack Harrison
You can't take him out, really, can you? The YEP wouldn't. He came up with a big assist on Tuesday and worked his socks off again. Expect him to have a key goal or contribution in him in these upcoming games. He's got form for it, even if consistency has been an issue.Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
![The YEP would start him too, especially with Sinisterra's injury. The winger did so much defensive work on Tuesday night but if he gets a chance he'll get at Bournemouth.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI1YTI5NjEzLWQyM2UtNDZlOC1iMjM4LTY1ZTUwYzc1YmExMTo3NDg1NjhlMS02YWNiLTRjYjMtOTYyNy1hZTUyOWM4MjEwN2I=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
10. Predicted: Crysencio Summerville
The YEP would start him too, especially with Sinisterra's injury. The winger did so much defensive work on Tuesday night but if he gets a chance he'll get at Bournemouth.Photo: Tony Johnson
![This is where the YEP would put Gnonto, in at 10 to help carry the ball through the middle. Dropping Rodrigo would be harsh in the extreme and Gracia probably won't. His work-rate against the Foxes was excellent. Leeds need something different in attack.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjEzMzc1Mjg5LWIxNmQtNDkwMi04NDBhLTA1YzY2NGZmNzUwYTpmOTJmZmZjZi03MTkzLTRmMDctYWJkZC03ZjJmZTk5MDQ0MzA=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
11. Prediction: Rodrigo
This is where the YEP would put Gnonto, in at 10 to help carry the ball through the middle. Dropping Rodrigo would be harsh in the extreme and Gracia probably won't. His work-rate against the Foxes was excellent. Leeds need something different in attack.Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
![The YEP would start him too, for his hold-up play and for the fact that he's going to score sooner or later. Rodrigo carries more of a goal threat this season but he doesn't do what Bamford does and lead the line. When struggling to play out, Leeds need an outlet so they can go direct.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjdkMGNiZWZmLWY3NzctNDMxMy05OGQ4LTM0MjRkNDRjOWY0NzplN2YwYWVjNS0yNTQ3LTQyZGYtYWMwYy1iNmExNTAwNzY5MGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
12. Prediction: Patrick Bamford
The YEP would start him too, for his hold-up play and for the fact that he's going to score sooner or later. Rodrigo carries more of a goal threat this season but he doesn't do what Bamford does and lead the line. When struggling to play out, Leeds need an outlet so they can go direct.Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe