Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United will take on West Ham United at Elland Road on Friday evening (8pm). The two teams have enjoyed a positive start to the season and will each be looking to add three points to their hauls so far, in what should be an entertaining match.

The Hammers currently sit eighth in the Premier League table, with five wins, two draws and four losses from their opening 11 matches. After back-to-back defeats at the beginning of the season, David Moyes’ side have impressed onlookers by finding the net on plenty of occasions. Barring the opening day defeat to Newcastle, they have scored in every league game thus far, totalling 18 goals up to this point.

That run has also seen the East London outfit be impressive in defence, too. Four clean sheets this early on will be seen as an improvement for a backline that only kept seven in the whole of the previous campaign. That amount matches the Whites, who have also kept four, meaning the clubs are tied joint second in the Premier League for shutouts up to now.

Top scorer in the league for West Ham is currently Jarrod Bowen, with four. An England U-21 international who is known well in these parts, Bowen is at the forefront most times when his side are attacking. The goals have been relatively spread around in the side so far though, with Michail Antonio (3), Pablo Fornals (2), Sebastien Haller (2) and Tomas Soucek (2) all providing support in attack.

Patrick Bamford netted his eighth strike of the campaign at the weekend, away at Chelsea. The striker has been key in attack and like every game he plays, will look to threaten the defence on Friday evening and extend that number. Also competing for a starting spot in attack will be Rodrigo. Since his return from injury, the forward has been used off the bench three times, against Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea.

Both teams come into the game on the back of defeats so will be looking to set the record straight. Leeds were on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline at Chelsea, whilst the Hammers also lost to Manchester United by the same score.

A much anticipated clash awaits, under the new floodlights at Elland Road.

Manager/head coach

Leeds United: Marcelo Bielsa

West Ham United: David Moyes

League position

Leeds United: 14th

West Ham United: 8th

Premier League form

Leeds United: LLDWL

West Ham United: LWWWL

Premier League top scorer

Leeds United: Patrick Bamford (8)

West Ham United: Jarrod Bowen (4)

Head to head

Leeds United: 48

Draws: 29

West Ham United: 27

Last time at Elland Road

Saturday 17th March, 2012.

Championship

Leeds United 1 (Becchio 83)

West Ham United 1 (Collins 90)

Team news

Marcelo Bielsa left nothing to the imagination in his press conference ahead of the match. When asked who would replace Diego Llorente and Robin Koch - who both picked up injuries in the defeat to Chelsea - the Whites’ head coach named his starting XI to fact West Ham…

Meslier, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski, Dallas, Rodrigo, Phillips, Raphinha, Bamford, Harrison, Klich.

David Moyes confirmed that Andriy Yaymolenko returned to training last week, after being out of action following a COVID-19 positive test. Michail Antonio missed the last match for the Hammers and is expected to still be out of the squad on Friday evening. Ryan Fredericks is likely to be the only other player unavailable for the visitors, as he is yet to return from a groin injury.

Officials

Referee - Michael Oliver

Assistant Referee 1 - Stuart Burt

Assistant Referee 2 - Simon Bennett

Fourth Official - Darren England

Video Assistant Referee - Jarred Gillett

The key battle

Illan Meslier vs Lukasz Fabianski.

It’s four clean sheets so far for each goalkeeper, and it is likely that if either manage to make it five on Friday evening then their side will take the three points. Meslier has been in excellent form throughout the 11 matches so far in his debut Premier League campaign and has rightfully gained plaudits from far and wide. His opposite number, Fabianski, has now amassed over 250 games in the top flight and his experience has been key to an improved Hammers defence.

Latest odds

Leeds United: 23/20

Draw: 13/5

West Ham United: 21/10

How to watch

The game will be live on Sky Sports Premier League, with live commentary on LUTV.