After three straight victories against Stoke City (3-1), Derby County (4-1) and Rotherham United (2-0), Leeds United take their exciting brand of football on the road to Swansea City.
The Whites have been reinvented under new boss Marcelo Bielsa, playing an exciting brand of football that has captured the imagination of fans and given real hope that this year could be THE year for the Whites.
It will be another tough test for Bielsa’s United side as they face relegated Swansea City in a match where they’ll be hoping to put on the kind of performance that dispatched their fellow relegated side Stoke City. It is a high-intensity, high-press game of football that has so far frustrated three teams into defeat.
Bielsa’s football is like the method of death preferred by the constrictor family of snakes. His harrying brand of football, the constant pressing and chasing for possession, stifles opponents. They are forced deeper and deeper until they can no longer play those intricate triangles that they might have practised on the training pitch. Forced to clear upfield, they then have to get ready for another wave of Leeds United pressure.
Rotherham tempered Leeds’ steel somewhat in the first-half of their 2-0 loss on Saturday at Elland Road, carving out some chances as they found a way to pass between Leeds’ midfield lines. However, come the second 45 minutes and the Whites began to turn the screw. Rotherham buckled to begin with and then bent fully as Leeds United took control. Bielsa’s ‘constrictor method’ had won out – Leeds United having 74% of possession to Rotherham’s 26% over the course of the game.
With Swansea likely to be a totally different proposition to Rotherham, here’s what some Leeds United fans have been saying ahead of the game:
Looking forward to the game, and not long to go. Swansea will provide our biggest test yet. Very good team, and we’ll have to be at our best. Come on #lufc let’s end our midweek away hoodoo.
— Andy B (@AndersB78) August 21, 2018
Pre match nerves have started. C’mon the Leeds! Lets make it 5/5 #lufc
— Chaz Cole (@chaz_coleman) August 21, 2018
Have a gut feeling that it’s going to be a tight game tonight and that we will start a little sluggish. Tipping for a late Bamford winner! Prediction: 1 – 2. #lufc
— Peacock Talk (@talking_leeds) August 21, 2018
Think we could see Baker and Harrison come into the starting line-up tonight #LUFC
— Alex Wilcockson (@AlexWilcockson) August 21, 2018
Big Baz is whipping a free kick in tonight. I tell ya. #lufc
— (@elyouefsey) August 21, 2018
On route to Liberty Stadium. A repeat result of same fixture 37 years ago will do nicely! @LUFC @daviep22 #Swans
— Andrew Davies (@a_h_davies) August 21, 2018
We’re due a reality check. Think it’ll be tonight. Happy to take al abuse if we win because we’ll have won. #lufc
— Jack (@EllandReports) August 21, 2018
Let’s make it 5 on bounce boys buzzing for tonight #lufc
— OB (@OllieBatley) August 21, 2018
Interesting prospect tonight, a defensively firm Swansea versus a free-scoring Leeds. Hoping for an early goal followed by Coops shackling McBurnie for 90 mins. Maybe a birthday goal for Berardi #LUFC #SWALEE
— Tom Lowry (@tomdl92) August 21, 2018
Looking forward to the game, and not long to go. Swansea will provide our biggest test yet. Very good team, and we’ll have to be at our best. Come on #lufc let’s end our midweek away hoodoo.
— Andy B (@AndersB78) August 21, 2018