Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United travel to the Hawthorns to take on West Bromwich Albion, on Tuesday evening (6pm).

It’s almost a year to the day since the same fixture was played out, with both teams fighting for position at the top end of the Championship. The New Year’s Day clash ended in a draw, which was a valuable point for both clubs in their successful promotion winning campaigns. 

The goalscorer at both ends that day was Semi Ajayi, who put the hosts ahead before turning into his own net for the equaliser. A more important equaliser that Ajayi will remember well, came on Sunday at Anfield against Liverpool for his side. That point moved the Baggies onto eight for the season as they look to fight off relegation. 

In charge of that task is Premier League survival expert, Sam Allardyce. The manager has never been relegated in his time in the top flight, so that’s why he has been brought into the Hawthorns with his side currently five points adrift. 

Leeds go into the game off the back of an important victory over Burnley at Elland Road. Patrick Bamford netted his tenth goal of the season with an early penalty, before the Whites put in a solid defensive display to keep a deserved fifth clean sheet of the campaign.

The three points momentarily took Bielsa’s side up to 11th in the table prior to Wolves jumping back above in the late kick-off, but now siting in 12th with 20 points from their first 15 games, Bielsa’s side can be pleased with their efforts. 

An impressive away record which has seen three clean sheets recorded on their travels shows a solid basis for what will be a testing fixture for Leeds, against a re-organised Baggies outfit and a ground Leeds have only taken maximum points from once in their last six attempts in the league. 

Manager/head coach 

WBA: Sam Allardyce

Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa

League position

WBA: 19th

Leeds: 12th 

Premier League form 

WBA: LLDLD

Leeds: LLWLW

Premier League top scorer

WBA: Conor Gallagher (2)

Leeds: Patrick Bamford (10)

Head to head 

WBA: 33

Draws: 19

Leeds: 36

Last time at The Hawthorns

Wednesday 1st January, 2020.

Championship

WBA 1 (Ajayi 2’)

Leeds 1 (Ajayi OG 52’)

Team news

Marcelo Bielsa said he’s unsure as to whether Liam Cooper will return to action at the Hawthorns on Tuesday, but did confirm that Diego Llorente will still be missing after suffering a setback in his fight to feature. 

For the hosts, captain Jake Livermore remains suspended. Also missing due to injury will be Hal Robson-Kanu, Conor Townsend and former Whites defender Kyle Bartley. 

Officials

Referee - Lee Mason

Assistant Referee 1 - Mark Scholes

Assistant Referee 2 - Nick Hopton

Fourth Official - Michael Salisbury

Video Assistant Referee - Kevin Friend

The key battle

Darnell Furlong vs Jack Harrison

After an impressive performance at Anfield, Furlong looks to continue in Sam Allardyce’s new-look defence for the Baggies. The right-back played well that day and helped his side to a valuable point, with some solid rearguard action.

Up against him on that side of the pitch is likely to be Harrison. The winger will look to get forward at all opportunity and get crosses into the box, or take on his full-back one v one. Another problem for Furlong will be Harrison’s relationship and link-up play with the overlapping Alioski. 

Latest odds

WBA: 13/5

Draws: 11/4

Leeds: 19/20

How to watch

The game will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, with live commentary on LUTV.