It’s Wolves next for Leeds United as The Whites travel to Molineux to take on Vitor Pereira’s struggling side, who have scored just two goals and lost all four Premier League matches so far.
In what is being billed as an early relegation six-pointer, Leeds will be looking to restore the feel-good factor with a win while Wolves will be desperate to finally get points on the board under Vitor Pereira.
Pereira could be without Jorgen Strand Larsen, with Wolves’ star player picking up an injury. In a different world, it could have been Pereira in the Leeds dugout instead of Daniel Farke, but he remains in the job.
Farke’s record is a concern against Wolves, but the last time Leeds went to Molineux it ended in a 4-2 win. Jesse Marsch actually won all three Premier League games he managed against Wolves, while at Leeds.
Daniel Farke during Leeds' loss to Fulham.
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Why Leeds need to change formation against Wolves
The reasoning is two-fold. The 4-3-3 set-up makes Leeds solid and compact, but it offers the attacking players little chance to get forward and try and score. The three up top are left to score themselves.
They need help and a change in formation can help achieve that. The other reason, is that Wolves are the first side Leeds will play in the Premier League this season that play with a three-man defence.
Specifically, a 3-4-3. Playing one striker up front will mean whoever it is – Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha or Joel Piroe – will get swallowed by the Wolves defence. Leeds need to try two up front.
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Playing a 4-4-2 in this day and age is difficult, especially for a side that need the numbers in midfield to remain solid. Saturday presents Farke and Leeds the perfect chance to use a 3-5-2 formation at Wolves.
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The use of a 3-5-2 will allow Farke to play with two strikers up front, just at a time where the wingers are struggling. Dan James is injured, Noah Okafor did little at Fulham, Brenden Aaronson will surely be axed.
Removing the need for wingers and allowing both Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jayden Bogle more license to get forward plays to their strengths. It will also hand Jaka Bijol the chance to finally start for Leeds.
Jaka Bijol wins a header for Leeds United against Sheffield Wednesday
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Since his £15m arrival, Bijol has warmed the bench but that would change with a 3-5-2 system. It hands Leeds another threat from set-pieces, plus the ability to defend their box better. It just makes sense.
Two players against three in attack, freedom for Bogle and Gudmundsson and getting arguably one of Leeds’ best players in Bijol, into the starting line-up. A no-brainer, especially with Wolves playing similar.