Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has empathised with Southampton's recent struggles ahead of their visit to Elland Road this evening.

The Saints ended a run of six straight Premier League defeats with a battling point against Chelsea last Saturday — but that dismal period has all but ended their hopes of finishing in the top six. 

Yet Bielsa, 65, has leapt to the defence of Ralph Hasenhuttl and his team, insisting that such streaks are unavoidable for clubs of their stature. 

He said: "Every team has a bunch of negative results at some point in the season. 

"The only teams that don’t have this problem are the ones who occupy the first few positions in the table. 

"The teams in the middle of the table who have not as big squads, when they’re missing four of five players like everyone else, they have to opt for youngsters if they are going to make subs during games. 

Every team has a bunch of negative results at some point in the season Marcelo Bielsa

"This presents a different reality." 

Leeds enter tonight’s contest following back-to-back defeats to Arsenal and Wolves. 

But the ability of Bielsa's side to bounce back from disappointments has been one of their most impressive traits, having not lost three consecutive outings since returning to the top tier. 

This will be the first time the sides have met since October 2012 and Hasenhuttl believes Southamption's chances hinge on matching the energy levels of their all-action opponents. 

The Austrian, 53, said: "For us, it’s more important we recover well. 

"We have a lot of injury problems, so it is important now that we get fresh again because it is going to be a very difficult game. 

"We know all about their running stats. They are one of the most energetic teams in the league."

The hosts will be without Kalvin Phillips (calf) and Rodrgio (muscle) but Diego Llorente is available again. 

They are one of the most energetic teams in the league Ralph Hasenhuttl

Saints trio Ibrahima Diallo, Michael Obafemi and Theo Walcott are all nursing muscle injuries, while Kyle Walker-Peters (hamstring) and Will Smallbone (knee) are still sidelined. 

Did you know? 

Leeds won the last meeting between these sides, a League Cup tie in October 2012, 3-0 at Elland Road. 

The hosts have won all four home league games this term when Patrick Bamford has scored, while also failing to win any of the seven in which he has failed to find the net. 

Takumi Minamino has scored two goals in his three Premier League games with Southampton — one more than he did in 19 top-flight appearances with Liverpool.