Preview:Leeds United vs. West Bromwich Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

Leeds United play host to West Bromwich Albion on Friday evening looking to kick-start their season with their first win in the Championship.

At a time when the home side sit in 19th position in the standings, the visitors are in 14th spot after getting a victory on the board last weekend.

Match preview

© Reuters

Despite the lack of urgency in the transfer market, the expectation was that Leeds still had more than enough quality to make a fast start to the season.

However, injuries to key attacking players and others angling for moves elsewhere have disrupted Daniel Farke's efforts to put together a cohesive side.

Against Cardiff City and Shrewsbury Town, in the EFL Cup, the Yorkshire giants had to come from behind on both occasions to secure a 2-2 draw and a 2-1 victory respectively.

Most recently, though, Farke witnessed his side concede a last-gasp penalty at Birmingham City to succumb to a 1-0 defeat, leaving Leeds off the pace.

With the unsettled nature of this squad expected to last until the end of August, Farke is tasked with working a bit of magic to get his side into contention for after the international break.

© Reuters

For differing reasons, Carlos Corberan has been working with a level of uncertainty throughout his reign at West Brom, particularly more recently when the finances are not there to make inroads in the market.

Nevertheless, the Spaniard still has a first-team squad at his disposal that are capable of making an impact in this division and an academy system that has the potential to produce a couple of gems.

After 2-1 defeats to Blackburn Rovers in the league and Stoke City in the EFL Cup, the Baggies desperately needed a response against Swansea City last weekend.

Although that came through a 3-2 success, West Brom were initially three goals ahead after 64 minutes before finding themselves in a position where they were clinging on for the full-time whistle.

This is the first meeting between these sides since Leeds posted a 3-1 win over West Brom at Elland Road at the back end of the 2020-21 season.

Team News

© Reuters

With Georginio Rutter now back from injury, the expectation is that he will be drafted into the Leeds attack for this fixture.

Joe Gelhardt may be moved to the flank due to the amount of players unavailable in that position, leaving Jamie Shackleton to drop down to the substitutes' bench.

As a result of Leeds only losing to a penalty last time out, Joe Rodon may remain among the replacements, allowing Charlie Cresswell and Pascal Struijk to continue as the two centre-backs.

Corberan's 3-4-3 formation with no recognised frontman worked against Swansea and he could opt to name the same West Brom starting lineup.

New arrivals Jeremy Sarmiento and Josh Maja are both options to be introduced in the final third if the Spaniard wishes to make a change.

Leeds United possible starting lineup:

Meslier; Ayling, Cresswell, Struijk, Byram; Gray, Ampadu; James, Poveda, Gelhardt; Rutter

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:

Palmer; Ajayi, Kipre, Pieters; Furlong, Molumby, Yokuslu, Townsend; Wallace, Phillips, Swift

We say: Leeds United 2-1 West Bromwich Albion

With both teams failing to convince during the early weeks of the season, this is a difficult match to call. Although West Brom will hold a certain level of confidence from seeing off Swansea, they look vulnerable in defence, leading us to predict a narrow home triumph.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.