West Brom vs Leeds United
Date: 29/12/2020
K/O: 18:00
Venue: The Hawthorns
Referee: Lee Mason
TV: Amazon Prime Video
Sam Allardyce’s relegation rescue mission continues as the Baggies host Leeds at the Hawthorns on Tuesday evening.
Last time out West Brom won a historic point at Anfield, in a 1-1 draw. Semi Ajayi headed in an 82nd-minute equaliser as Albion capitalised on some poor defending and held on for the remaining 10 minutes. This was Allardyce’s first real test with the Baggies and he passed with flying colours.
A fifth-minute penalty scored by Patrick Bamford was enough for Leeds United to get all three points against Burnley. Marcelo Bielsa’s side held on for the rest of the game, winning 1-0 and securing their fourth clean sheet of the season. Leeds move into the top half of the table as they look to cement themselves in the Premier League.
Leeds United had their defence destroyed two weeks ago, as Manchester United put six past them, but Bielsa’s side showed some improvement from that dismal display and kept a clean sheet against Burnley. This Wednesday’s opponents have a similar calibre of attack to The Clarets, so Leeds will be looking for another clean sheet. Leeds have recorded clean sheets in all three of their away wins this season – the Whites haven’t drawn a league game away from home in the 2020-21 season.
Albion are down, but certainly not out, and Allardyce is the man to keep them up. Many people were critical of Big Sam’s tactics against the champions, but his side executed his game plan perfectly and walked away with a hard-earned point. This week’s game will be a completely different test. Easier maybe, but Leeds will look to take advantage of Albion’s poor defence. What will be interesting is whether Allardyce sits back like he did against The Reds, or if he takes the game to Leeds and goes for the win.
West Brom have lost just one of their last home six home games against Leeds (W4, D1). The Baggies have been poor in defence, conceding eight goals in their last two home games, losing 5-1 against Palace and 3-0 against Aston Villa. This will be something that Allardyce will need to sort out, as Leeds tend to score plenty of goals.
Fulham and Burnley both failed to win over the weekend, meaning West Brom are now only five points adrift of safety and three points behind 18th-placed Fulham – Big Sam’s rescue is well underway.
Team News
West Brom
Allardyce will be reluctant to make many changes after taking a point off Liverpool, but fatigue may force him to rotate a few players.
West Brom midfielder Jake Livermore is serving the second of a three-match ban after his red card against Aston Villa. Matheus Pereira will be hopeful for a return after finishing a suspension of his own.
Pereira and Charlie Austin could both come in, but Hal Robson-Kanu and Kyle Bartley are not expected to be back in time for this one.
Leeds United
Liam Cooper is absent with an abdominal injury picked up in against Manchester United a week ago. The Spanish international Diego Llorente won’t be involved. Llorente had been out with a muscular injury and Marcelo Bielsa says that Llorente is not in the condition to play.
Jack Jenkins will fill in for Struijk who now partners Luke Ayling at centre-back.
Predicted Starting XIs
West Bromwich Albion (4-1-4-1): Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, O’Shea, Gibbs; Sawyers; Phillips, Gallagher, Pereira, Diangana; Grant
Leeds United (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Dallas, Ayling, Struijk, Alioski; Phillips; Raphinha, Klich, Rodrigo, Harrison; Bamford
Score Prediction: West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Leeds United
West Brom will give Leeds a tough game and the point from Liverpool will give them a huge confidence boost. But I think two games in such a short space of time favours Leeds, and given the attacking quality in their side, I’m backing Bielsa’s men to get all three points.
