Southampton: Ralph Hasenhuttl relishing ultimate contrast in tactics against Leeds

The two sides are coming up against each other for the first time this season

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl (Getty Images)

Ralph Hasenhuttl believes Southampton’s midweek trip to Leeds United will be the ultimate contrast in playing styles.

Despite the season being almost two thirds complete, Tuesday’s rearranged clash sees Saints come up against Marcelo Bielsa’s all-out attackers for the first time.

Hassenhuttl, who favours a less possession-based counter-pressing game, says the two philosophies are like chalk and cheese.

Saints ended a run of six straight defeats when they drew 1-1 with Chelsea on Saturday, and Hassenhuttl said: “It’s important the guys take all the time to get fresh again because it will be a very intense game.

“We know about their running stats and that they are one of the most energetic teams in the league. They’ve had the same time to recover so hopefully we can compete.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side favour a high-intensity running style (Getty Images)

“He’s a famous manager and a successful one with Leeds with a completely opposite way of thinking like I do. If you want, black and white. So it will be interesting.

“There are more ways to go. Not only one. As long as it’s successful everything is OK. It will be interesting to find solutions for him and for us.

“The Premier League is very often tactical at the highest level and you have to find the right balance in every part of your team. This will be tactically one of the more interesting ones this season.

“I spoke about the different ways of looking at football. I think we are also very unique in our defending way. I don’t see a lot of teams in the Premier League doing it like we do it, and with Bielsa you can talk the same about his way.”

Hassenhuttl says midfielder Stuart Armstrong is “50-50” to return after missing the Chelsea game with a muscle injury.

Kyle Walker-Peters, Theo Walcott and Ibrahima Diallo will not be available.

PA