Leeds’ biggest threat vs Bournemouth could be defender loved by Arne Slot
Leeds face a dangerous AFC Bournemouth side at Elland Road on Saturday as they bid to continue their bright start to life in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke’s side will be full of confidence after Leeds’ commanding 3-1 victory against Wolves last time out. They have seven points from their first five games and sit 12th in the table.
Leeds have a perfect record at home against Bournemouth, but the Cherries have also started well. They’re currently fourth in the table after picking up 10 points from their five games.
This match is lining up to be an interesting battle between two confident teams.
Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi could be a major threat against Leeds
While most fans will be aware of the threat of former Leeds target David Brooks and Brazilian striker Evanilson, Daniel Farke must also develop a game plan to nullify Bournemouth centre-half Marcos Senesi.
The Argentine defender has been almost faultless in defence for the Cherries this season, but he’s also a serious threat when he’s on the ball.
Data gathered by BBC Sport reveals that Senesi has played more passes that break the defensive line (9) than any other player this season.
It was a through ball like this from Senesi that set up Bournemouth’s goal against Tottenham earlier in September.
Liverpool’s Arne Slot managed Senesi when he was at Feyenoord and spoke glowingly about his former player last September.
As well as saying he has “positive memories” of the now-Cherries star, he added: “Marcos Senesi has always had a lot of impact at Feyenoord and also in the one season he worked with me.
Leeds must set up in a way that prevents him from getting too far forward with the ball.
Leeds may have to be ruthless in attack against Bournemouth
Leeds faced early criticism for being toothless in front of goal this season.
Those criticisms have died down after they netted three first-half goals against Wolves last Saturday. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach and Noah Okafor each netted superb finishes from positions where they had no right to score.
- Calvert-Lewin beat two defenders to loop a beautiful header past the Wolves goalkeeper
- Stach fired a perfect free-kick in the top corner of the net
- Okafor fired an unstoppable drive into the far corner after being played through by Stach.
They may have to be just as ruthless in front of goal to secure a positive result against Bournemouth. Data gathered by the BBC reveals that Bournemouth have allowed less than six shots against them in each of their past four Premier League games.
They’ve kept clean sheets in three of these games, while only conceding once in the other. Another statistic that Senesi can take a lot of credit for.
The likes of Okafor, Stach and Calvert-Lewin will have to be at their best to breach the Cherries’ defence.
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