MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 11:31:04| >> :600:177447:177447:
[monks data]
Leeds logo
Premier League | Gameweek 5
Oct 19, 2020 at 8pm UK
Elland Road
Wolves logo

Leeds
0 - 1
Wolves


Ayling (15'), Phillips (61')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Jimenez (70')
Moutinho (66')

Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa heaps praise on Wolverhampton Wanderers

Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa heaps praise on Wolverhampton Wanderers
© Reuters
Nuno Espirito Santo has guided Wolves to successive seventh-placed finishes in the top flight after they had dominated in the Sky Bet Championship.

Marcelo Bielsa is full of admiration for Monday night's opponents Wolves following their two impressive seasons back in the Premier League.

Nuno Espirito Santo has guided Wolves to successive seventh-placed finishes in the top flight after they had dominated in the Sky Bet Championship in a similar manner to Leeds last season.

"This shows or talks very well about the job they have done in their two seasons," Bielsa said.

"More than them having some new players they are incorporating into their team, they are a team that has consolidated in the league."

Wolves also reached the Europa League quarter-finals in August and have since added seven new players to their squad, including club record £35.6million signing Fabio Silva and Portugal defender Nelson Semedo.

Bielsa said: "They have a system ingrained within their players, (who play) with a powerful competitiveness."

Leeds have made an impressive start to life back in the Premier League themselves and sit eighth in the table.

Leeds have impressed since returning to England's top flight
Leeds have impressed since returning to England's top flight (Catherine Ivill/PA)

They have followed up their 4-3 opening-day defeat at Liverpool with wins over Fulham and Sheffield United and a well-deserved 1-1 draw against Manchester City before the international break.

Leeds fans will be hoping for their first glimpse of latest signing Raphinha against Wolves.

The Brazilian, a £17million deadline-day signing from Rennes, is expected to be included in the squad.

"He's an additional alternative to the right-wing position, left-wing position and eventually to the central, offensive midfield position," Bielsa said. "Fundamentally, he's a winger who can play on the right or left-hand side."

Skipper Liam Cooper faces a late fitness test after sustaining a calf strain while on duty for Scotland and fellow centre-half Diego Llorente is out.

Llorente withdrew from Spain's squad last week with a similar problem, but Bielsa's seven other senior internationals returned this week unscathed.

Liam Cooper, centre top, sustained a calf injury while on duty for Scotland
Liam Cooper, centre top, sustained a calf injury while on duty for Scotland (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Midfielder Kalvin Phillips featured in all three of England's matches and Bielsa believes his continued involvement will enhance his development.

"He's competing at international level and also disputing for a place with the best players in England," Bielsa added.

"Phillips is a versatile player and he can play in different styles. In the national team, he plays in the centre of the pitch.

"In our team, he plays in the same position. Things he picks up with England will surely make him better."

ID:418811: cacheID:418811:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:14828:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Leeds United's Gaetano Berardi leaves the pitch after being sent off on October 5, 2019
Read Next:
Gaetano Berardi grateful to Leeds United for new one-year deal
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland149322391430
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd149321871128
3Leeds UnitedLeeds147522291326
4Burnley136521761123
5Millwall146441712522
6Watford147162222022
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom13562148621
8Middlesbrough146351816221
9Swansea CitySwansea14545119219
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn145451616019
11Bristol City144731819-119
12Norwich CityNorwich144642320318
13Derby CountyDerby145361818018
14Stoke CityStoke145361718-118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds145361724-718
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd144551717017
17Coventry CityCoventry144371819-115
18Hull City143651518-315
19Luton TownLuton144371621-515
20Preston North EndPreston143651420-615
21Cardiff CityCardiff144371320-715
22Plymouth ArgylePlymouth144371425-1115
23Queens Park RangersQPR141761223-1110
24Portsmouth141671327-149


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!