Reading visit Leeds United in the Championship tonight.
Reading boss Paul Clement has admitted to The Yorkshire Evening Post that his troops could be in for an energy-sapping 90 minutes away to Leeds United tonight.
The Royals visit a Leeds side who won 2-0 against Bristol City this past weekend.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side have been lauded for their quality of football this season, but also their off-the-ball work.
The Whites endured a rigourous pre-season under the renowned Argentine, who oversaw double and triple training sessions during the summer to optimise fitness.
That is certainly evident from United’s high-energy performances this season and it’s something that the Reading manager has noticed about Leeds.
“I don’t think anyone runs as much as Leeds from what I’ve seen of them,” he said to The Yorkshire Evening Post.
“I haven’t seen the stats but by the way they play you can see they run a lot. We will have to be fresh that’s for sure.”
One moment against Wigan earlier this month seemed to sum up Leeds’ work rate under Bielsa.
Pablo Hernandez conceded possession after a defensive corner, but within seconds there were seven of Leeds’ 10 outfield players deep in their own half, back defending to snuff out the counter attack.
That occurred in the second half, when energy levels are supposed to be down, so the Royals could well have a tiring evening ahead of them.
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