Marsch's boys to kick on after break
Leeds United welcome Southampton to Elland Road on Saturday looking to pull further away from the relegation conversation.
The Whites have won their last two under Jesse Marsch in dramatic fashion, and with some weak sides struggling to pick up points below them, the general consensus is that they will remain a Premier League club next season.
Leeds are getting some key players back from injury for the final stretch and on the whole look a far more menacing side than they were towards the back end of Marcelo Bielsa’s reign.
Southampton have nothing to play for and that could work in the favour of the hosts.
Process
Leeds had been unsustainably underperforming in both boxes, and therefore it is no surprise to see a regression to the mean, in the form of an upturn in results since Marsch’s walked into the dugout.
There has been a conscious effort to shore Leeds up at the back, and it has not been successful so far but they are nowhere near as gung ho as they were under Bielsa towards the end.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has a case to be Manager of the Season after his work on a small budget on the South Coast.
The Saints have recently experienced a drop-off in form but will be looking to finish the season strongly.
Southampton have underperformed to score just 36 from 43.8 expected goals (xG) this season and therefore a goal-laden game could be on the cards.
Goals?
Goals feels like a typical bet, however I am not so sold, Marsch would have had longer to get his ideas across on the training ground in the international break and could take the opportunity to pick up a long awaited clean sheet.
Hasenhuttl could always hang on the back foot a touch to stop the run of defeats for the visitors.
Leeds have scored in four of ten.
Leeds have conceded in all of their last 17.
Leeds have seen both teams score in four of ten.
Leeds have seen over 2.5 goals in eight of ten.
Saints have scored in nine of ten.
Saints have conceded in eight of ten.
Saints have seen both teams score in seven of ten.
Saints have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
1-1, steady progress for Leeds.