A graphic from InStat Football has revealed that Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa appears to have made a tactical shift in recent weeks–switching from a 4-1-4-1 formation to a 3-5-2 over the past three games. 

The Whites hammered Middlesbrough 4-0 at Elland Road on Saturday to extend their winning run to five games and move to the top of the Championship.

Bielsa's side have put a five-point gap between them and the play-off places, meaning they look reasonably secure in the automatic promotion spots.

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It was revealed today that the Argentine has made the fewest personnel changes to his starting XI of any Championship side this season but that doesn't mean he hasn't been tinkering.

It appears that since the international break, Leeds have moved from a 4-1-4-1 to a more fluid 5-3-2 formation–a switch that has helped them pick up nine points from a possible nine.

LUFCDATA posted a graphic from InStat Football that revealed the average player positions of the Whites over that period and showed the change in setup.

Leeds will drop down into second if West Bromwich Albion beat Preston North End at Deepdale this evening.

The Whites have a chance to make it six wins in six when they welcome Championship strugglers Huddersfield Town to Elland Road on the weekend.

The Verdict

It is really interesting to see a graphic that outlines the shift Bielsa has made over the last few weeks.

It was could have been caused by the injuries to left-backs Ezgjan Alioski and Barry Douglas but it appears to have been working for his side, particularly against Boro when they were fantastic.

One reason this may be particularly exciting for Whites fans is that it creates the possibility of playing both Patrick Bamford and Eddie Nketiah together as the two forwards.