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Leeds United's unseen defensive strength which is making huge difference

Leeds United's Joe Rodon, Illan Meslier and Pascal Struijk
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Leeds United's Championship promotion assault continued with another home win on Saturday as Daniel Farke's men kept up the pressure on Sunderland and their rivals with a 2-0 victory over QPR.

It was another clean sheet for the Whites, with just two goals conceded in their last six league games. Leeds have built a reputation as a strong attacking side, with their 24 goals bettered only by league leaders Sunderland so far this term.

However, it's their defensive prowess which is perhaps catching the eye, with opposing sides simply unable to lay a finger on Farke's men in many games. In fact, the win over QPR was the fourth time in the last six games that Leeds have stopped the opposition from having a shot on target.

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Only Millwall and Watford have threatened Illan Meslier in the Leeds goal in recent games, both having three shots each. Of course two of those went it, with Millwall recording a 1-0 victory over United, while Kwadwo Baah's second-half strike was only a consolation as Leeds held on for a 2-1 win over Watford.

However, it's a clear indication of not only how well Leeds are defending, but how much they are controlling games. There were questions over how thery would cope without the injured Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev in the midfield engine room, but Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell have ensured their backline has been well protected.

On the occasions they have had to deal with danger, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk have been on point, along with full-back help from Jayden Bogle, Junior Firpo and Sam Byram, to ensure Leeds among the sides who have conceded the fewest goals.

Leeds will have to cope without Firpo for a further two games after his three-match ban, of course, with Byram again deputising against QPR. The left-back will miss the games against Swansea City and Luton Town following the international break.