This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
On paper, Leeds United should have no problems in beating Luton this weekend.
The Whites are in great form and sit third in the league, while the Hatters seemingly can’t buy a win at the moment after failing to take all three points in each of their last seven games.
However, there is one man who will give Luton a slight edge when they face the Yorkshire outfit on Saturday.
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Luton’s ace in the hole
While these two sides seem rather mismatched based on their current form, Luton have one trick up their sleeve that could give them a slight edge.
Indeed, the Hatters’ ace in the hole could be Izzy Brown.
Not only has the attacking-midfielder been in scintillating form this term, crafting five assists already, but he will also have a valuable understanding of Marcelo Bielsa’s system.
Brown spent last season on loan at Leeds, and the knowledge he gathered while training under Bielsa may be useful when playing against the 64-year-old’s United side. However, the former Marseille boss may look towards one man to help stop Brown.
Ben White could be vital
Brown spent last season watching and training alongside the majority of United’s players so he will have a good gauge of their strengths and weaknesses, but one man he won’t know all that much about is Ben White.
The Brighton loanee joined the Yorkshire outfit after Brown’s loan spell came to an end, and he’s already been touted as Leeds’ Player of the Season by none other than Phil Hay.
If Bielsa opts to use White to nullify the threat that Brown poses it could be a masterstroke as the attacking midfielder won’t be able to utilise the knowledge he has on his former teammates as he’s never played alongside White.
But the youngster’s all-round quality could also see him prevail. If you consider that Brown makes a colossal 2.7 key passes per game this term, then White’s reading of the game could come in handy.
He’s made 2.9 interceptions on average each outing in 2019/20, something that demonstrates just how good he is at stepping in and breaking up the play. This could be key against the Hatters’ main creative threat.