Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has pinpointed one key Leeds United statistic that concerns him ahead of his side’s trip to Elland Road in the Premier League.
Leeds have a proud home record against Bournemouth, having never lost a league fixture at Elland Road against the side from the South Coast.
The Whites have started the Premier League season well at Elland Road. Leeds are yet to concede a goal at home and could match a record last achieved by Watford in 2015 by shutting out the Cherries this weekend.
Daniel Farke received a double fitness boost ahead of the game as he confirmed that both Jayden Bogle and Dan James are in contention to bolster Leeds’ right-hand side.
Now, Iraola has explained why he believes the trip to Elland Road is a “dangerous game” for his high-flying Bournemouth side.
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Andoni Iraola is wary of Leeds United threats
Speaking in his weekly press conference ahead of the Leeds game, Iraola praised Leeds after their strong start to life back in the top flight.
As former Leeds man Tyler Adams prepares to face his old club, Iraola explained that Leeds’ 22-game unbeaten streak at Elland Road means his side cannot afford to take anything for granted in the game.
Iraola said, “I think we have a very difficult game tomorrow. I trust our chances because I see my team performing well, we are playing well.
“But if you consider everything, we are talking about a team that in their two previous [home] Premier League games, they haven’t conceded a goal. They haven’t even conceded chances, I would say. They’ve been very, very good defensively.
“And overall, I think the last game they lost at home was more than one year ago. This is an incredible stat. To spend more than one year without losing a game at home has to be amazing. So we are going to a place where I think the atmosphere adds.
“I’ve never played there, but everyone you speak with, everyone speaks about the loud atmosphere, the beginning, the pressure, every chance they have. It looks like they are coming; they put you under pressure, and we have to be ready for this. We cannot make mistakes.
“It’s going to be demanding – mentally, physically, because they are also a very honest team. Their work rate is very high,” before concluding, “It’s a dangerous game.”
Who has the most goals against Bournemouth for Leeds United?
Leeds and Bournemouth have only played each other 16 times in the league, as the two clubs have broadly avoided facing each other over the years.
As a result, the list of leading goal scorers for Leeds in fixtures against the Cherries is a short one, with only two players registering more than one league goal.
Leading goalscorers in fixtures between Leeds and Bournemouth:
- Lewis Grabban – 3
- Ross McCormack – 2
- Tresor Kandol – 2
- Jefferson Lerma – 2
- Dominic Solanke – 2
That distinction is shared by Ross McCormack and Tresor Kandol, both of whom scored two goals each in games against the Cherries during their careers with Leeds.
Former Bournemouth man Lewis Grabban has the most goals in league fixtures between the two sides with three, according to the data from Transfermarkt.
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