Raphinha had arguably his best game for Leeds United last weekend, as the Brazilian created seven chances in the game. He played a role in each of Jack Harrison's three goals and laid on the assist for Mateusz Klich's goals which was disallowed by VAR after hitting an offside Rodrigo on the goal line.
One of the key aspects of this performance was Leeds getting the ball to their star attacker quickly and in space.
For the opening goal, Luke Ayling played a long ball down the right wing and Aaron Cresswell could not compete with Raphinha in the race. The winger then carried the ball into the box before cutting the ball back to Klich to shoot. Lukasz Fabianski saved the Pole's effort before Adam Forshaw touched the rebound back to Harrison to drill home.
The second goal came from a Raphinha corner which was flicked on by Ayling and bundled home by Harrison, whilst the third appeared to come as Cresswell was too concerned about the threat out wide that he allowed Raphinha to wander centrally.
Stuart Dallas won the ball in midfield and played the ball to Leeds' number 10, who quickly played a through ball from a more central position which Harrison dinked over Fabianski.
Again, for the disallowed goal, Leeds won the ball and played it immediately to Raphinha, who was positioned high and wide on the right. He then skinned Issa Diop on the outside and pulled the ball back to Klich to finish, only to see the goal unfortunately ruled out.
Winning the ball and getting it out to the right quickly in order to put Raphinha in one-on-one positions seems likely to be Leeds' best route to goal on Saturday against Newcastle as well.
This is made particularly pertinent when considering that the left back is most likely to be Paul Dummett.
The 30-year-old is known as a good defender on Tyneside, however he has only completed 90 minutes in the Premier League all season.
That 90 minutes came against Watford, where the Hornets late equaliser came from a cross from his flank. Some nice combination play released Kiko Femenia and Dummett was unable to get near enough to the Watford full back, who delivered for Joao Pedro to rise highest and head home.
Knowing that Dummett isn't as sharp as somebody who has a run of games under their belt and that Raphinha is coming off one of his best performances, Marcelo Bielsa's side would do well to try and exploit this situation as much as possible.
The defender isn't particularly known for his pace, so balls into the channel like Ayling played for the opening goal last weekend could be the best way of getting Raphinha in behind and into the penalty area.
Of course, Eddie Howe will be aware of the threat of Leeds' best player. He may try to give Dummett some assistance by doubling up on Raphinha. Should that be the case though, it will leave the Magpies light defensively elsewhere and Leeds will find other gaps they can expose.
