Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 12.
Raphinha
Brazilian star Raphinha has been the shining light in a surprisingly flat start to the season for Leeds United, underlining his status as one of the Premier League’s best wide players.
The gifted 24-year-old is not just the club’s leading scorer with five goals this term, he also creates the most chances, has the most shots and completes significantly more take-ons than anyone else.
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Playing off the right-hand side, Raphinha is Marcelo Bielsa’s only genuinely in-form attacking player ahead of their visit to Antonio Conte's Tottenham Hostpur.
Last season the likes of Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison and Rodrigo all chipped in with regular strikes for Leeds.
But a combination of injuries and poor form has placed extra responsibility on Raphinha to deliver goals in 2021/22.
Leeds' top threats compared by season
| Mins per goal 2020/21 | Mins per goal 2021/22 | ||
| Bamford | 180.1 | Raphinha | 164.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rodrigo | 183.7 | Rodrigo | 382.5 |
| Harrison | 356.9 | Bamford | 437.0 |
| Costa | 385.3 | Ayling | 449.0 |
| Raphinha | 393.8 | Llorente | 548.0 |
A left-footed wide man, Raphinha provides good width for large periods of each match, but hugging the touchline limits his threat.
He therefore uses the surprise factor to catch his markers off guard, spinning inside at opportune moments to get closer to goal.
Raphinha's movement and speed make him difficult to defend against whenever he pops up in central areas, and he has stepped up this term with some excellent individual goals.
His low left-footed curlers against Everton and West Ham United were sweetly struck, while vicious, in-swinging crosses found the far corner against both Newcastle United and Leicester City.
He also produced a sumptuous run and finish in the win at Norwich City.
Raphinha's goal v Norwich
In order to stifle Raphinha’s threat when he is on the ball, it is imperative for Spurs' left-back Sergio Reguilon to apply pressure and show his opponent on to his weaker right foot.
Reguilon will also need the central midfielders inside him to slide across and cut off the space into which Raphinha is looking to move.
Whenever the Leeds winger chops inside, it becomes a big problem.
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, with eight goals, is the only Premier League player to score with more left-footed finishes than Raphinha's five.
Leeds' top shooters and passers
| Shots | Key passes | ||
| Raphinha | 35 | Raphinha | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rodrigo | 20 | Rodrigo | 17 |
| Klich, Bamford | 15 | Harrison | 14 |
Averaging 3.5 efforts on goal per 90 minutes, Raphinha is starting to look like the type of winger who could produce 15+ goals a season.
His finishing prowess and creativity shine brightly, but he also quickly turns defence into attack with dynamic running power.
Possessing quick feet, speed and an ability to beat full-backs with a deft body swerve, he is among the division's most effective dribblers.
Top PL shooters and dribblers
| Most shots | Dribbles completed | ||
| Mohamed Salah | 44 | Adama Traore | 56 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sadio Mane | 37 | Allan Saint-Maximin | 45 |
| Michail Antonio | 36 | Dwight McNeil | 31 |
| Raphinha | 35 | Lucas Moura | 30 |
| Mason Greenwood | 31 | Raphinha | 28 |
Facing a Conte side who will look to swarm all over Leeds in front of their own supporters, there will be opportunities to launch counter-attacks.
And given Raphinha's form, Spurs could be punished in those situations if they fail to deal with him properly.
