West Bromwich Albion welcome Leeds United to The Hawthorns in a tasty clash between two promoted teams.
Victory could put West Brom within two points of safety whereas Leeds could rise as high as tenth with a win.
Team News
West Brom have no fresh injury concerns to report from Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool as Kyle Bartley (calf), Conor Townsend (knee), Hal Robson-Kanu (wrist) and Jake Livermore (suspension) remain absent.
Leeds could welcome Liam Cooper back from an abdominal strain if deemed fit with no fresh injury concerns to report after Sunday’s win over Burnley.
Gaetano Berardi, Robin Koch (both knee), Adam Forshaw (hip) and Diego Llorente (groin) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- West Brom are winless in two previous meetings against Leeds (D1, L1).
- Leeds have won just one of their last seven trips to The Hawthorns in all competitions (W1, D1, L5).
- Three of Leeds’ 25 league goals this season have come from the penalty spot.
- Baggies’ Semi Ajayi is the first Nigerian to have scored a headed goal in the Premier League this season.
- Leeds’ Patrick Bamford dispatched his first-ever penalty in Premier League in Sunday’s win against Burnley.
Prediction
Sam Allardyce looks to have already made an defensive impact at West Brom because the Baggies were superbly organised defensively at Liverpool, digging in when out of possession to close down gaps then taking rare chances well with a clinical headed goal from Semi Ajayi.
Leeds meanwhile made a cracking start to get an early lead but wasted later chances before producing a robust team defence against Burnley’s second-half onslaught on attacks, which shows just how cohesive this team can be when under pressure.
Changes however will be afoot in both teams but if Leeds can turn up and deliver another ruthless display, I reckon West Brom will be able to dig deep again and catch Leeds out on a set piece.
Prediction: WBA 1-1 Leeds
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