MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 03:19:53| >> :600:88886:88886:

Ralph Hasenhuttl preparing for "very intense game" against Leeds

Tuesday's rearranged clash sees Saints come up against Marcelo Bielsa's all-out attackers for the first time.

Ralph Hasenhuttl believes Southampton's midweek trip to Leeds will be the ultimate contrast in playing styles.

Despite the season being almost two thirds complete, Tuesday's rearranged clash sees Saints come up against Marcelo Bielsa's all-out attackers for the first time.

Hassenhuttl, who favours a less possession-based counter-pressing game, says the two philosophies are like chalk and cheese.

Saints ended a run of six straight defeats when they drew 1-1 with Chelsea on Saturday, and Hassenhuttl said: "It's important the guys take all the time to get fresh again because it will be a very intense game.

"We know about their running stats and that they are one of the most energetic teams in the league. They've had the same time to recover so hopefully we can compete.

"He's a famous manager and a successful one with Leeds with a completely opposite way of thinking like I do. If you want, black and white. So it will be interesting.

"There are more ways to go. Not only one. As long as it's successful everything is OK. It will be interesting to find solutions for him and for us.

"The Premier League is very often tactical at the highest level and you have to find the right balance in every part of your team. This will be tactically one of the more interesting ones this season.

"I spoke about the different ways of looking at football. I think we are also very unique in our defending way.

"I don't see a lot of teams in the Premier League doing it like we do it, and with Bielsa you can talk the same about his way."

Hassenhuttl says midfielder Stuart Armstrong is "50-50" to return after missing the Chelsea game with a muscle injury.

Kyle Walker-Peters, Theo Walcott and Ibrahima Diallo will not be available.

ID:436331: cacheID:436331:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3514:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Everton's Richarlison celebrates scoring against Liverpool in the Premier League on February 20, 2021
Read Next:
PL roundup: Everton claim historic derby win, Southampton hold Chelsea
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd21145230111945
2Leeds UnitedLeeds21126337152242
3Burnley2111822681841
4Sunderland21117332171540
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2011452517837
6Middlesbrough21104735251034
7Watford2010462926334
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2171132416832
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds218582630-429
10Swansea CitySwansea217682322127
11Bristol City216962626027
12Norwich CityNorwich216873632426
13Millwall206772018225
14Derby CountyDerby216692626024
15Coventry CityCoventry216692730-324
16Preston North EndPreston2141162127-623
17Stoke CityStoke215792328-522
18Queens Park RangersQPR2141072127-622
19Luton TownLuton2164112337-1422
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2046102133-1218
21Cardiff CityCardiff2046101932-1318
22Portsmouth193882134-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2045111942-2317
24Hull City2137111930-1116


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!