Leeds United will look to move one step closer towards securing promotion to the Premier League next season when they host Luton Town on Tuesday. The Whites are coming on the back of a positive result against Fulham in their last game. But with West Bromwich Albion breathing down their neck, it is needless to say that Leeds United cannot be complacent this midweek.
In this article, we will discuss tactical moves Marcelo Bielsa can make against Luton Town as the Argentine hopes for a second consecutive win for his side.
Stretch Luton Town out via width in the attack
Luton Town are not the most dangerous team in the Championship. However, they are surely not a team to be undermined as they can provide a lot of punch on the counter. Hence, avoiding such situations should be Leeds United’s best bet in their bid to retain another clean sheet this week.
On that note, it will be a good idea for the Whites to employ a wide-oriented system that emphasises on creating width in the attack. The fullbacks, in particular, could play a vital role in this system, which prevents Luton to operate as a compact unit and rely on counter-pressing.
Retain the services of Tyler Roberts
Pablo Hernandez marked his return to the pitch in an emphatic fashion against Fulham, notably registering an assist for the Jack Harrison. Such performance has now made the Spaniard a favourite to receive a starting berth in the Leeds lineup, at the likely expense of Tyler Roberts.
However, that may not be a wise move from Bielsa. The Welshman has been one of Leeds’ best performers since the restart and his willingness to make things happen, combined with his versatility, make him a vital asset to the club’s offensive unit.
Roberts’ enthusiasm, therefore, could be useful for Leeds United, especially in the first half. As for Hernandez, his technical oriented approach should be more appropriate in the second half, when he can take full advantage of Luton’s tired legs by picking passes in behind the defence.
A more-open approach
It is a fact that Leeds United are not the most effective when they are dominating possession. The lack of productivity in the final third means they often struggle to provide the end product, especially when they create chances from the wide areas of the pitch.
With that in mind, it would perhaps be a wiser move by Bielsa to employ a more open approach to this game. Allowing Luton Town to attack on certain occasions could leave them more exposed at the back.
Leeds can then pounce on that opportunity as they have quite wingers while players like Kalvin Phillips, Ben White or Hernandez are more than capable of finding passes to pick out players running in an open space. Similar tactic against Fulham was hugely successful for Bielsa on the weekend and could work this time as well.
