New statistical evidence has revealed one of the key areas in which Leeds United have improved this season.
Data shows Marcelo Bielsa's United press more aggressively than any other team in the Championship. One of the cornerstones of his philosophy, many pundits have commented on how well the Whites win the ball back this season, and the stats back it up.
The methodology used to measure pressing is called PPDA (passes per defensive action). It focuses on how many passes a team allows before pressing to regain the ball.
A team who has a lower number of PPDA most likely deploys an aggressive press, looking to regain possession as quickly as possible high up the pitch, and engaging in defensive actions quickly to retrieve the ball.
A team who allows more PPDA often prefer to sit in a deep block and relinquish possession, only pressing the ball when the opposition reaches their defensive half.
This season under Bielsa, the Whites average the lowest PPDA in the Championship, with 6.38 PPDA per game. That's over a third fewer than the league average of 9.78.
Ultimately the data has little correlation with quality, but does tell us a lot about how a team approaches the game. The second most aggressive pressing team is bottom side Ipswich Town, averaging 8.13 PPDA, while teams like Aston Villa and Sheffield United are in the middle.
Last season, the Whites recorded the fifth-lowest average, with 8.69, behind Queens Park Rangers, Preston North End, Cardiff City and Brentford. The data shows a big leap in how much more Leeds close down the opposition now.
