Roberts statement
Tyler Roberts became one of Leeds United’s headlines across the international break for the wrong reasons with his banishment from the Wales camp earlier this week.
Marcelo Bielsa seemed to draw a line under the matter in Thursday’s press conference and distance himself from any further punitive measures for the Wales international.
The Whites head coach talked of consequences, however, and it will be interesting to see how he approaches the matter on Saturday and whether Roberts retains his place in the starting line-up.
Formation switch
While Match of the Day’s pundits will put it down to a major sea change in Bielsa’s thinking to show he can alter his tactics, we all know two-man opposition attacks mean a back three for Leeds.
Sheffield United played a 3-5-2 for much of this campaign, so it seems likely Bielsa will make the move with his formation.
With just two dedicated wide players to marshal the wings for the Blades, the influence of Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, Raphinha and Jack Harrison is bound to be huge in controlling the wide areas.
Centre-backs
The formation change will actually make things easier for Bielsa. He has four, fit, high-quality, proven centre-backs to choose from now.
Pascal Struijk and Diego Llorente have not put a foot wrong in their two matches together while Liam Cooper was in a rich vein of form before his illness on the other side of the break.
That leaves the small matter of the Germany international Robin Koch, one of the best performers in the first half of the campaign, kicking his heels on the sidelines.
Bielsa has rarely left Cooper out when available, while Llorente’s international status and recent form surely means he retains a place. It could come down to Struijk vs Koch.
Heckingbottom’s return
It’s nearly three years since Paul Heckingbottom last prowled one of Elland Road’s technical areas.
On May 6, 2018 he took charge of a 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers in a final-day dead rubber which meant nothing to two clubs trapped in the Championship.
Four of Heckingbottom’s starters that day have a chance of being involved on Saturday. Ayling, Cooper, Ezgjan Alioski and Kalvin Phillips all played 90 minutes.
Leeds’ trajectory since his exit has been incredible and while Heckingbottom this week insisted there were no hard feelings about his sacking, there will be a major part of him looking to upset the apple cart.
International rests?
Bielsa told the media on Thursday he was still yet to evaluate any of the players who went away on international duty.
Between that briefing and kick-off there may well be new problems which arise with those coming back.
On Wednesday, Illan Meslier was in Iceland, Alioski was in Germany, Llorente was in Spain, Phillips was in London and Dallas was in Northern Ireland.
Bielsa will hope there are no late issues for any of his returning stars.
