'It's possible'- Marcelo Bielsa on improving Leeds United's record against Premier League's top seven

MARCELO Bielsa says Leeds United are capable of improving their record against the Premier League's big guns - and have a clear objective to do so.
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Newly-promoted Leeds are heading for Saturday's clash at runaway leaders Manchester City sat 11th in the Premier League table and firmly on course to achieve this season's initial aim of staying in the division upon their first season back.

The Whites are 16 points clear of the dropzone with just eight games left and have also played one game less than third bottom Fulham.

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Leeds are also level on points with tenth-placed Arsenal and only two points behind ninth-placed Aston Villa who have a game in hand.

MISSION: For Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa, pictured during this season's sole win against a side in the current top seven at Leicester City at the end of January. Photo by TIM KEETON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.MISSION: For Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa, pictured during this season's sole win against a side in the current top seven at Leicester City at the end of January. Photo by TIM KEETON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.
MISSION: For Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa, pictured during this season's sole win against a side in the current top seven at Leicester City at the end of January. Photo by TIM KEETON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.

Yet Bielsa is aware that his side have only savoured one victory against any team in the current top seven which came via the 3-1 victory at Leicester City at the end of January.

The Whites now face four of the division's top seven in their next five games and Bielsa says his side have a clear aim to now improve their record against the division's big guns.

"In principle, it's a reality," said Bielsa, asked about one win against the top seven.

"It's our objective to be able to modify this.

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"There's a lot of teams in a similar position to us who have been able to beat those in the top positions.

"That's to say it's possible and that we haven't managed to achieve it yet."

Leeds will now take in three consecutive tests against the division's best sides as Saturday's clash at City will be followed by an Elland Road date against champions Liverpool next Monday night.

Bielsa's side will then take on Manchester United in West Yorkshire the following weekend and an away date at Brighton will then be followed with a home fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.

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But first comes the toughest test of all against a City side who are still chasing an amazing quadruple of the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.

Pep Guardiola's side have won 26 of their last 27 games in league and cup and are 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League table and 1-750 to win the league.

Saturday's contest against the Whites comes sandwiched in between City's two Champions League quarter final legs against Borussia Dortmund but Bielsa has refuted suggestions that this could be a good time to catch them.

"Teams like Manchester City are prepared to play two times a week and to play in different competitions," said Bielsa.

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"To play in a team like this is not just enough to be good, you have to be able to maintain that competitive spirit every three days."

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Thank you Laura Collins