BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl is relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against Marcelo Bielsa when Saints visit Leeds United in the Premier League tomorrow.

Despite the season being almost two thirds complete, the rearranged clash at Elland Road (6pm) sees Saints come up against Bielsa’s all-out attackers for the first time.

Hasenhuttl, who favours a high intensity counter-pressing game, says the two managers’ philosophies are a “completely opposite way of thinking”.

The Saints boss said: “He is a famous manager and a successful one with Leeds, with a completely opposite way of thinking like I do. It’s black and white.

“It’s definitely very man-oriented against all-oriented defending, so it will be interesting on Tuesday.”

Leeds are currently two points ahead of Hasenhuttl’s troops in the division this season, having been promoted from the Championship last campaign.

Before his arrival at Elland Road, legendary boss Bielsa had managed the likes of Athletic Bilbao, Marseille and Lazio – as well as the Argentina and Chile national sides.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola once called the 65-year-old “the best coach in the world”.

Asked about the Rosario-born manager’s philosophy, Hasenhuttl said: “There are more ways to go, not only one. As long as it is successful, I think it is okay.

“It would be interesting to find solutions for us. The Premier League is very often tactical on the highest level and you have to find the right balance in every part of your game.

“This will be tactically one of the more interesting ones this season.

“We have not a lot of time to prepare for this game. But this is for Leeds the same.

“I spoke about the different way of looking at football, I think we are also unique in our defending way. I don’t see a lot of teams in the Premier League doing that like we do it.

“Bielsa can talk the same about his way of football, it’s the complete opposite. So it’s always interesting to see.”

Victory would give Saints their ninth league success of the season. They have currently picked up 30 points from 24 games.