2019-20 Sky Bet Championship: Week 26 – New Year Day

2020 kicks off with one almighty bang in the Sky Bet Championship as West Bromwich Albion meet Leeds United at The Hawthorns in a top of table showdown.

A win for West Brom will return them to the summit whilst Leeds know that victory will move them three points clear of their automatic promotion rivals. 

 

Team news

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Kyle Bartley could start for West Brom after featuring as an unused sub in their home defeat to Middlesbrough on Sunday. 

Grady Diangana (back) and Kieran Gibbs (cramp) could also be in contention if the pair pass late fitness tests. 

Leeds could have Patrick Bamford back from a dead leg in place of loanee – Eddie Nketiah. 

Pablo Hernandez (hamstring) and Adam Forshaw (hip) are ruled out.

 

Form

West Brom saw their 14 match unbeaten run ended on Sunday as they fell to a shock home defeat against Middlesbrough, although they have drawn three of their last five games with 1-1 results. 

Leeds have also lost one of their last 14 games (W9, D4, L1) and haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last four matches (W1, D2, L1), since beating Hull 2-0 in early December. 

 

Stat Attack

• West Brom have lost two of their last six meetings against Leeds United in all competitions (W4, L2). 
• Pablo Hernandez has scored two of Leeds’ last six goals in this fixture. 
• Leeds haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven trips to The Hawthorns in all competitions (W2, L5). 

 

Prediction

Both teams currently have defensive issues yet somehow are currently nine points clear of third-placed Fulham, which should make this clash crucial in terms of promotion hopes for both teams. 

I therefore am expecting an attacking game of football with many chances at both ends, particularly after two very different performances on Sunday because the Baggies have a point to prove whilst Leeds need to stop conceding. 

This therefore could come down to who has the better clinical finishing across the 90 odd minutes, which for me has to be West Brom given the quality at their disposal. 

Prediction: WBA 2-1 Leeds 

Result: WBA 1-1 Leeds