Marcelo Bielsa keeping it simple as Leeds United enter conversation for top-half finish or European spot

Newly-promoted Leeds sit tenth in the Premier League table ahead of Saturday evening's Elland Road clash against eighth-placed Aston Villa who are just one point above the Whites.

It means another victory would see Leeds climb at least another rung up the ladder although Villa have played two games less.

United, though, are approaching what is their 26th test of the Premier League season sat just five points behind sixth-placed Liverpool and seventh-placed Everton - who have played one game less. Any side finishing seventh could ensure Europa League football next term.

Much depends on who lifts the cup competitions but Wolves secured Europa League football with a seventh-placed finish in the 2018-19 campaign due to Premier League champions

Manchester City winning the FA Cup and EFL Cup as part of a domestic treble.

That meant two more places in the Europa League based on league position.

Leeds’ chief aim this season surrounds staying in the division but the Whites are already on 35 points and 13 points clear of the drop zone.

The Whites are as big as 250-1 to go down.

United’s progress has left Bielsa facing questions about the top-half and even Europe but the head coach will continue to take a step by step approach to whatever finish is secured.

“The goal is always to resolve the next game,” said Bielsa, asked if the aim was to now stay in the division’s top half.

“To resolve the next game, normally makes you maintain your position or to improve it.

“Of course, we hope to play sufficiently well to deserve to win.

“In the case we get a positive result we will see how it reflects on the table.”

Asked if European football was now a realistic target with 13 games to go, Bielsa reasoned: “I prefer to go by what you said, to go game by game and analyse after each game after it’s been played.”

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Thank you Laura Collins