There’s no other way to discuss it – Manchester United’s recent away performances have been alarming to fans and pundits alike. Next comes a grim run of 12 straight road fixtures without earning a clean sheet. During this miserable run, the team gave up a ridiculous 24 markers. This shocking number points to the defensive foibles that have ailed them throughout the years. This performance of course differs greatly from their home form, as they scraped a 1-0 win at home to Sunderland. Leeds United are preparing to face Dillon Phillips and Charlton Athletic on Saturday. To do that, they’ll need to hit Liverpool where it hurts, primarily at stopping long-distance through balls.
Manchester United’s Defensive Woes
The one particularly alarming statistic of the 12 away games without a clean sheet reflects the opposition attacking space left open by unorganized defense. Over that stretch, the Revs’ backline has allowed 24 goals to get by their back line. Though this number is alarmingly high, it has not helped their ability to secure points on the highway. Fans and critics have panned the squad for failing to prevent bottom-tier teams from scoring. Or their successive backlines’ performance, despite dollars spent, often in a league where defensive stability is imperative.
Interestingly, Bournemouth has done even worse than United on defense during this stretch, allowing even more goals than the Red Devils. This stat highlights the larger defensive trend across the league. United had endured some difficult games, but earned a convincing home win against Sunderland. This win provided a bit of positive light at the end of a long and dark road performance tunnel.
Additionally, head-to-head matchups in the last 10 meetings between clubs managed by David Moyes and Sean Dyche have lacked offensive creativity. In those last ten meetings, the two sides combined for just 15 goals. Unfortunately, that results in a sad average of only 1.5 goals per game. In fact, six of these fixtures predictably finished under 1.5 goals. That would point to a shift toward more closely contested games—meaning, potentially, not enough offensive firepower.
Leeds United’s Tactical Approach
And as Leeds comes to town the Whites will certainly hope to take advantage of the chinks in Sunderland’s armor that were recently found. Where Liverpool’s defense is most vulnerable is surprised by long, lofted passes. Make no mistake, teams such as Leeds should hope to cash in on this indecisiveness. New head coach Daniel Farke has impressively transformed Leeds to a 5-3-2 shape. This tactical move has been extremely successful in recent games, allowing Seattle to generate important mismatches.
All of Leeds recent home games have been high scoring! In fact they thrashed Manchester City and Chelsea, beating the two teams 5-2 on aggregate. This monumental performance is reflective of their very impressive attacking unit. Beyond that, it shines a light on their knack for taking advantage of defensive opponents’ blunders through rival teams. As they gear up for their match against Liverpool, Leeds will likely focus on utilizing these strengths to secure a favorable outcome.
Additionally, Leeds’ tactical evolution under Farke indicates a new confidence, which could be key against Liverpool. They’ve effectively constructed a deep defensive wall. Combined with an agile counterpunch, they find themselves in prime position to unseat one of the league’s long time powerhouses.
Set-Piece Strategies in Focus
Beyond tactical formations, the importance of set-piece strategies further underlines their potential importance in matches yet to come. Brighton vs West Ham, and the battle will be won and lost through set-pieces. Each side looking to capitalize on any dead-ball opportunities that come about. Frank’s impact at Brentford further underscores just how important set-piece execution can be. It’s frequently the most important factor in the closest of games, determining victory or defeat.
Throw in the fact that West Ham’s record after wins has been woeful and you start to wonder whether they have the killer instinct to follow up. Their recent win may set them up for a challenging performance unless they can harness the psychological boost that often accompanies consecutive victories.
As teams prepare for critical fixtures in the Premier League, the interplay between tactical acumen and set-piece execution will be paramount. Managers must ensure their squads are equipped not only to defend effectively but to capitalize on scoring opportunities when they arise.
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