Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United are a fearsome attacking force. They currently sit on the top of the tree in the EFL Championship, in prime position for promotion to the Premier League. 56 goals scored so far is a good return but their lack of a clinical edge has been well-documented, arguably costing them promotion last season. In 37 games the Whites have notched up an xG total of 68.5, a stark difference of 12.5 compared to their actual goal return.
However, the focus of this analysis is their set-piece struggles. Naturally, with how they’re able to relentlessly attack, Bielsa’s side receive a large volume of set-pieces.
In this set-piece analysis, I will look at why they haven’t been very successful from them and the tactics behind this.
Data analysis
I’ll initially look at their statistical figures in context to the rest of the league, then the more advanced stats which imply trends within Leeds’s usage of set-pieces.
Above is a table that portrays the distribution of goals scored in the EFL Championship. 10.1 is the average of goals from set-pieces for an individual team. Leeds however, despite currently topping the table, have scored eight from such situations, not dreadful but likely not as much as they’d like. In contrast, West Brom – in second place – are superior here with 11 goals, also not outstanding but it adds up, particularly when considering these goals make up 17% of all their goals scored, whereas Leeds’ is 14%.
