Marcelo Bielsa cannot ignore Bristol City's proximity to Leeds United in Championship promotion race

MARCELO BIELSA admits he cannot ignore Bristol City's prominence in the Championship promotion race ahead of Saturday's showdown with the Robins at Elland Road.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Leeds were 13 points clear of the Robins at the turn of the year with the Whites second and Lee Johnson's side tenth on Boxing Day after suffering a fourth defeat in a row.

City, though, have since won six of their last eight and will arrive at Elland Road only three points behind the Whites in seventh.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

United blitzed the Robins 3-1 at Ashton Gate in the first game of the season but Whites head coach Bielsa has been impressed with their progression since.

THRIVING: Bristol City celebrate Nahki Wells' opener in Wednesday night's 3-2 win at home to Derby County. Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images.THRIVING: Bristol City celebrate Nahki Wells' opener in Wednesday night's 3-2 win at home to Derby County. Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images.
THRIVING: Bristol City celebrate Nahki Wells' opener in Wednesday night's 3-2 win at home to Derby County. Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images.

The Robins have made a host of new additions during the current campaign with January recruits Filip Benković, Markus Henriksen and Nahki Wells all starting for City in Wednesday's 3-2 win at home to Derby County in which Wells and Benkovic both scored.

Wales international Ashley Williams - who joined the club after being released by Everton at the end of August - also played the full 90 minutes at centre-back in what was his 26th league start of the campaign.

Midfielder Josh Brownhill left the Robins for Burnley for £9m at the end of January but Johnson's men remain firmly in the promotion mix looking to better last season's finish of eighth.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leeds approach the contest having taken just nine points from their last 11 games and with only goal difference back to third-placed Fulham.

"It’s a team at the top of the table as well," said Bielsa of Bristol City.

"They deserve to be there in a good position in the table.

"They incorporated four players in the starting XI, even if one of those is a substitute, and there is one who left the club.

"It’s a difficult opponent, as every team is in the Championship.

"We have to mention they are in a good position in the table."