Leeds United return to Premier League motion at present as they as soon as once more host, this time welcoming high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion to Elland Highway.
The Seagulls arrive in Yorkshire in scintillating type, with Roberto De Zerbi in cost one loss in 2023 in all competitions.
In the meantime, Javi Gracia nonetheless has the unenviable activity of reviving a toothless facet that simply has one purpose in his final 5 performed video games.
Defensive solidity is prone to be the Spaniard’s greatest place to begin to grind out a outcome in opposition to the well-oiled machine that visits them at present, and by silencing their largest risk they might enhance their odds of choosing up an necessary outcome.
The primary subject they should take care of is Kaoru Mitoma, who stars on this marketing campaign. His tempo and methods might show an excessive amount of for Luke Ayling, however the steely Rasmus Kristensen might properly rise to the problem.
Will Rasmus Kristensen begin for Leeds vs Brighton?
Having clearly been signed on Jesse Marsch’s orders, the Danish full-back now finds himself with out his former boss to supervise his improvement. The 25-year-old should power his manner again into the facet on benefit, and has simply finished one look of their final 9 sequence matches.
His presence stays felt all through the membership even on the bench, as former supervisor Matthias Jaissle as soon as dubbed the steely ace a “chief“.
Would you launch Ayling at present?
However earlier than he was faraway from the house web page, £40,000 per week Titan had proven the defensive qualities that recommend he might actually preserve the Japanese star quiet.
The most important drawback the Brighton man brings is his pure expertise for waltzing previous defenders, which is illustrated in his spectacular 60% dribble success price.
That is offset considerably by the two.7 tackles the defender is averaging per recreation, whereas the percentages of his 58% duels gained this season, by way of Sofacore.
Not solely that, however final season Kristensen confirmed his penchant for pushing ahead as properly. Even journalist Josh Bunting famous how he regarded ahead to seeing him:
“Rasmus Kristensen is a particularly bodily participant, he’ll slot in within the Premier League, so highly effective driving ahead from full-back”.
Though he has but to point out it in England, his seven objectives, three assists and 1.2 key passes per 90, by way of Sofacore, are indicators of a menacing presence that may make Mitoma additionally take into consideration his function in mitigating the risk.
Whereas it might appear a tall order to topple the guests, the previous RB Salzburg basic’s physicality and relentless work-rate might show crucial in disrupting their rhythm backed by a raucous crowd at Elland Highway.
