Marcelo Bielsa's appraisal of Aleksandar Mitrović, and what makes Fulham an unusual opponent for Leeds United

The Serbian striker cost an initial £22m when he moved to Craven Cottage from Newcastle United in 2018 and has proven difficult to handle for Championship defences, since his club's relegation from the Premier League.

This season he has plundered 23 goals for the Cottagers, with another eight coming for his national team in the same period.

Against the Whites at Craven Cottage he found the net from the penalty spot, albeit after an officiating error, and his presence in the penalty area led directly to Josh Onomah's winner in the 2-1 Fulham victory.

At the other end of the pitch, he popped up on the goal-line to deny Eddie Nketiah a late equaliser from a Leeds corner.

Bielsa admits there is more to the 25-year-old than his goalscoring exploits, but clearly appreciates Mitrović's expertise in that area.

"A player with the quantity of goals he scores, we can't just analyse him looking at the goals he's scored," said the Argentine.

"In this sense he has a lot of resources to score."

"He arrives at the right moment, he has intuition, he has ability to finish the chances and he is able to score in different ways."

But as much of a threat as the centre forward will pose to Bielsa's side, Leeds will have their hands full all over the pitch defensively.

Scott Parker's men are atypical in that regard, says the head coach.

"The characteristic of the 11 players who usually play, they have an attacking characteristic," he said.

"Both full-backs with both midfielders inside and the three attackers, they are players who have a creative profile. That is not normal in our league."

The game, between second-placed Leeds and their third-placed visitors presents a mouthwatering prospect for neutrals.

Both sides play passing football, with an emphasis on attack.

Should Fulham prevail, they will drag Leeds back to within four points and once again open up the race for automatic qualification.

A home win will put Leeds 10 points clear of Parker's side with seven games remaining.

It has the appearance of a must-win fixture for Fulham and, in a break from the norm, a visiting side will come to Elland Road to try and play on the front foot.

For Bielsa, who understands why the game will be given top billing and create extra excitement, it is simply another challenge to be faced, like the other remaining seven games.

"We must be prepared for every team and their different characteristics," he said.

"The eight matches left are going to generate the same expectation, until the situation is defined. Every match is important.

"This has a more valuable meaning because we play with the direct and closest team to us, to fight for promotion."