please log in to view this image West Bromwich Albion v Leeds Utd Wednesday 1st January 2020 17.15 | The Hawthorns Not content with winning a 9 goal thriller on Monday, Leeds have unfinished business in the West Midlands as they aim to complete the double over second placed West Brom. An Alioski strike from his customary left hand side of the edge of the area was the difference between the two teams at the beginning of October, when Slaven Bilic's team tasted defeat for the first time this season. It was a game that Leeds dominated for large periods. Bilic tore into his team on Boxing Day following a lackluster performance against Middlesbrough, which saw the Whites leapfrog the Baggies gaining a psychological advantage ob being top of the Championship on January 1st. It it not known whether Bamford has recovered from his dead leg. If not, Nketiah stands by for only his second league start this season. Fellow striker Tyler Roberts may face his former club having played a cameo role against Birmingham on his comeback trail. Jamie Shackleton is not expected to return until the Arsenal game next Monday. A lot was made of Leeds defensive frailties after Mondays nine goal thriller. Will Bielsa make any changes? Does Bielsa need to rest anyone? Is Alioski good enough to start against the Baggies at left back? Who would settle for a 1-1 draw right now?
Draw would be a good result. Nicking a win would be fantastic. Will Nketiah play? If he is going back even I wouldn't pick him. Wouldn't even have him with the squad. Alioski is better from the bench.
If Bamford is fit he has to start, I’d take a point right now but 3 points and a defeat for Fulham would be a lovely start to the new year
When we have a bad result, many of our fans state how we have no plan b and Bielsa as been found out etc.. funny thing is , it's exactly what the West Brom fans around this way have been saying for the last few weeks. Albion's strong point is their attacking players, we will have to be much much better at the back than we were against Brum. I'd drop Alio and put Dallas at LB, play Roberts as a 10. I think both sets of fans would probably settle for a draw, 5-5 anyone?
If we win this one, we're definitely going up... If we get a draw, then we're still definitely going up... If we get stuffed like last year, we are still definitely going up... Enjoy the game as it will be a cracker but it won't define or decide our season.
Perhaps a few might be surprised that Alioski played left back and Costa the full 90 mins in the 1-0 win at ER. The sometimes much maligned Alioski scored (even though it was given as an OG) and Dallas was right back with Ayling on the bench (comimg back from injury). Just remembered now...Shackleton started but was subbed for Roberts at half time. It didn't work out as WBA had too much space in midfield so Roberts was hooked off after about 20mins and Ayling came on which helped us see out the win. Bit one dimensional that Bielsa.
Besides Tyler Roberts wanting to prove WBA were stupid to let him go, the biggy will be between the 2 former International managers. WHU asked Bielsa to take over and he refused and they turned to Billic. Bielsa is a proud man and underneath he will want to smash Albion...
I have said for a few weeks now that WBA have been lucky with results flaterring them Boro proved they are there for the taking so lets take Whats the injury position at both clubs Doc
It’s been partly true all season doc... but certainly true recently. They have quality in the final third that has bailed them out all season. When they have a patch when the goals dry up? They struggle.
How about this then...... Leeds United league position at the end of each decade... End of 1989 - Top of the Second Division - Won the Second Division End of 1999- Top of the Premier League - Sliped to 3rd, 22 points of winners, qualified for Champions League End of 2009 - Top of the League One - Finished Second, promoted to Championship End of 2019 - Top of the Championship - ??
indeed Emu! this illustrates the point https://www.infogol.net/en/leagues/english-football-league-championship-table-2019-20/151 We've been top of the expected goals table all season... they would be 8th... the table is based on head to head matches and who achieved the higher xg (ie created the better chances (on a weighted volume v quality of chance). Easy to see why... they've scored more than their chances suggest they should expect... we've scored less. Birmingham is i think only the second game this season we 'should' have lost... but we scored 5 with an xg of about 1.5... and leaked 4 with an xg against of about 2.5... hence Bielsa's comments about the game being a complete role reversal.
Ferguson and Diangana missing for them. They seem to like Bartley now as opposed to last season when most baggies fans thought he was a donkey. Take a draw personally and chalk another game off
