Marcelo Bielsa has highlighted Birmingham City’s defensive ability as something that will make Saturday difficult for his Leeds United side.  

Leeds are still unbeaten in the Championship, whilst Birmingham are still searching for their first victory of the 2018/19 campaign.

However, Birmingham have drawn on six occasions and have conceded only seven goals – two more than Leeds.

Bielsa has highlighted that defensive record, insisting that it doesn’t correspond to where Birmingham sit in the Championship table.

Discussing 20th-placed Blues, Bielsa told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “It's a team that concedes very few goals. That's a difficulty. The few goals they concede doesn't correspond with their (low league) ranking."

In contrast to Birmingham’s fine defensive record, Leeds boast one of the Championship’s most fluid attacks.

Bielsa’s side have scored 18 goals so far this season, with Middlesbrough the only side to stop the Whites scoring in the Championship.

Three of those goals came on Tuesday evening, as Leeds brushed aside Preston North End in front of over 27,000 fans at Elland Road.

Saturday’s clash is now a sell-out, with Leeds expected to be backed by big numbers against Birmingham, with Bielsa’s side defending an unbeaten record.

The Verdict  

Birmingham are good defensively, which is something that Bielsa recognises.

If Leeds are to break them down on Saturday, the Whites will have to be at their very best going forwards.

Despite scoring three goals against Preston, Leeds could’ve been more clinical, which will be a concern.

Thoughts? Let us know!

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