Mark Smith

Sat 26 December 2020 19:00, UK

Leeds United go into their Premier League clash with Burnley on Sunday afternoon desperate for three points.

After the high of dismantling Newcastle, it all came crashing down days later at Old Trafford in that worrying defeat against Manchester United.

Marcelo Bielsa has been questioned since, but there is no doubting that injuries are seriously harming his sides’ chances of success.

The Whites have hardly been able to name a full-strength defence all season.

Liam Cooper has been ruled out against Burnley, but Diego Llorente should come back to cover that glaring absence of the skipper.

That isn’t the problem though.

Luke Ayling being played in the heart of defence isn’t working one little bit, and it is paramount that he returns to right-back at Elland Road for the Clarets clash.

The 29-year-old was woeful against the Red Devils last week, only winning 33% of his defensive duels according to WyScout.

As well as that, he lost the ball six times for the Whites and was caught out of position far too many times when the home side were counter-attacking.

This isn’t his fault playing out of position, though, and Bielsa must consider this change.

Who could come in?

The clear candidate is Pascal Struijk, who has been playing centrally for the under-23s and would offer Leeds much more physicality and height in defence.

That could be critical against the likes of Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes, who both love a physical battle, both in the air and in defence as they have proved time and time again – both scoring against Wolves last time out.

Leeds have been shocking from dead-ball situations, everybody knows that, and this one simple change of bringing Struijk in and moving Ayling back to the right could be the key to another much-needed three points.

In other Leeds United news, Paul Merson savages Whites and Bielsa in Premier League

Be sure to follow MOT Leeds News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Whites and more exclusive content with Paul Robinson