For the second time this season, Leeds United are set to return after the international break with a fixture against Southampton. The Whites will be looking to make it three wins in a row when they host the Saints, a feat they haven’t achieved since the end of the previous campaign.
In comparison to international breaks gone by, Leeds will have the majority of their squad in and around Thorp Arch. Robin Koch and Raphinha have not been able to fly away with Germany and Brazil respectively after testing positive for Covid-19, so it remains to be seen when they will be able to return to training.
Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Mateusz Klich, Illan Meslier, Joe Gelhardt and Diego Llorente, though, will all be able to continue their fights to get back to full fitness, while Rodrigo Moreno was not selected for the Spain squad. That means that Leeds could be well set up to hit the ground running upon the resumption of the season.
READ MORE: The impact injuries could have on the relegation battle as Leeds United rivals' worries mount
So with that in mind, here is a look at all of Leeds’ results post-international break since they were promoted to the Premier League.
Leeds 0-1 Wolves – 19/10/20
Although on the face of it this looks like a poor result, this is a game where Leeds will have felt they should have come away with at least a point. Sides can often look sluggish after the international break, but Marcelo Bielsa’s side dominated this match without getting their reward, as a late Kalvin Phillips own goal handed the visitors the win.
Leeds 0-0 Arsenal – 22/11/20
Another game where Leeds should’ve taken more from it is this 0-0 home draw with Arsenal, who were reduced to 10 men early in the second half. The Whites hit the woodwork on three separate occasions in this encounter at Elland Road and will have been left to wonder how they didn’t come away with all three points.
Leeds 2-1 Sheffield United – 03/04/21
Arguably the worst performance from the three post-international break matches last season came in Leeds’ only victory, as they just about overcame bottom of the table Sheffield United. Jack Harrison’s first half opener put Leeds ahead, before the Blades levelled – but Phil Jagielka’s own goal was the difference.
Leeds 0-3 Liverpool – 12/09/21
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are probably the side you would least like to play immediately after the international break due to their ability to punish teams who are not at their best. It was a comfortable afternoon for the Reds at Elland Road and, in truth, it could’ve been more.
Southampton 1-0 Leeds 16/10/21
Up there with one of the most disappointing displays of the Bielsa reign, Leeds did not get going at all as they failed to register a single shot on target. In their defence, though, the Whites were without Raphinha, Bamford and Phillips, which they will be hoping is not the case in the return match next weekend.
Tottenham 2-1 Leeds 21/11/21
Without Raphinha and Bamford again, Leeds produced a thoroughly dominant opening 45 minutes in North London to lead at the break. However, they failed to sustain that in the second period as two quickfire goals made it three defeats out of three post-international break matches this season. Leeds will be desperate to avoid making that a fourth against Southampton.
