Leeds v Bournemouth: Key stats and talking points
- Published
Leeds United, who have yet to concede a goal at home this season, take on a Bournemouth side vying for back-to-back clean sheets. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes before Saturday's match.
Leeds were buoyed by last weekend's 3-1 win at Wolves, with a second victory of the season giving them plenty of momentum heading into a potentially important stretch of autumn fixtures. This is the first of three home games in their next four, with Tottenham and West Ham also visiting Elland Road.
Daniel Farke's side have not lost at home in the league for 12 months, a run of 22 matches, and have an opportunity to put some more daylight between themselves and the relegation zone. They already have seven points on the board, which equals the combined total of last season's promoted sides after five games.
Summer signings Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach and Noah Okafor were on target in the win at Molineux, when Leeds took their opportunities clinically, attempting just six shots but scoring with three. Chances have been at a premium for the Whites this term, with their overall expected goals total of 4.29 the third lowest in the Premier League.
Bournemouth's new-look defence excelling
Leeds may also need to be ruthless with their finishing when they take on in-form Bournemouth, who have only conceded once in their past four league matches.
The Cherries' defensive resilience is all the more impressive given they lost three of their first-choice back four over the summer, with defenders Dean Huijsen, Ilya Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez sold for a combined total of £144.5m.
It is testament to the work of head coach Andoni Iraola that Bournemouth have nonetheless started strongly and conceded just five goals, which is their lowest total at this stage of a Premier League season.
And despite struggling to break down Newcastle in Sunday's goalless draw at Vitality Stadium, Iraola's team have claimed 10 points from their opening five fixtures, equalling their best start to a top-flight campaign.
