da pinnacle： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
da lvbet： QPR’s performance against Brentford on Monday evening proved one thing – they desperately miss Jordan Hugill when he isn’t in the team.
Indeed, the R’s didn’t look as in control as they won just 35 per cent of their aerial duels without the man who single-handedly wins 3.5 per game.
The striker missed the game against the Bees due to a suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the R’s previous match.
It seems that Hugill will be put straight back into the first team, and anyone who knows anything about Marcelo Bielsa’s tactics knows that this means only one thing.
3-3-1-3
Bielsa will most likely opt to use his patented 3-3-1-3 formation this weekend against the London club as the Rs are likely to line up with two strikers.
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The Argentine uses this system so that his centre-backs don’t get overloaded when playing against two forwards, but it will also have implications further up the pitch.
Indeed, one man may have one more of a chance to flourish in a preferable role.
Costa’s chance
This represents another chance for Helder Costa to make an impact in a more advanced role.
In the 3-3-1-3 the Portuguese is able to operate as a more traditional winger than in the 4-1-4-1, and that suits him to a tee.
We mastered the trick in the video below in 8 attempts… could you do better?
Bielsa has previously speculated that Costa doesn’t flourish in the 4-1-4-1 due to the fact that he is always looking to use his pace and power, and he’s able to use those attributes while playing as a winger – rather than as a deep right midfielder.
Of late, he’s been struggling significantly. The £10.8m-rated man has taken pelters from the supporters and is yet to contribute to a single goal since he began starting in the league.
This may be Costa’s last chance to impress as Pablo Hernandez edges ever closer to returning from injury, but with the Spaniard unlikely to be 100% fit for this weekend’s game it’s a great chance for the Wolves loanee to make an impact against one of the worst defences in the Championship.
He simply has to take advantage.