Leeds United - v - West Bromwich Albion ***Matchday Thread***

[BelfastAndy]

Leeds Utd v West Bromwich Albion
Saturday 1st March@12:00 | Elland Road

The Championship spotlight will shine brightly on Elland Road on Saturday lunchtime as Leeds United prepare to host West Bromwich Albion in a crucial encounter for both sides. Leeds, sitting comfortably at the summit with 75 points from 34 games, are on the cusp of Premier League promotion, while West Brom, currently 5th with 51 points, are battling tooth and nail to secure a playoff berth.

Daniel Farke's Leeds United have been nothing short of sensational this season. Their dominance is not just reflected in their league position but also in the underlying metrics. Accumulating an impressive 2.2 points per game, they are on course for a potentially record-breaking 101 points. This team isn't just winning; they are statistically superior.

Boasting the league's best expected goals (xG) rate of 1.81 per game and the stingiest expected goals against (xGA) rate at 0.84, Leeds are controlling games from both ends of the pitch. Their goal difference of +50 already hints at a team destined for great things, chasing Reading's Championship record of +67 from the 2005-06 season.

For West Brom, the challenge is clear. They arrive at Elland Road knowing that points are needed in their playoff pursuit. The Championship playoff race is notoriously tight this season, with a mere six-point gap separating 5th place West Brom from 14th-placed QPR. Just one point separates them from Coventry City in 7th, highlighting the precarious nature of their current position.

After seeing off both Sunderland and Sheffield Utd in recent games, many Whites fans may see this fixture as as a home banker, but Tony Mowbray will have other ideas. Off the field, the 61yo has only just returned to football following bowel cancer. As a fantastic gesture of goodwill, the Elland Road hierarchy had been in touch with the 61yo, offering him free tickets as their guest and an invitation to the boardroom!

Leeds will be without the services of Ethan Ampadu (knee), Patrick Bamford (various) and Max Wober (knee). Concerning pictures showing Dan James with ice packs and strapping around his ankle (following the win at Bramall Lane on Monday evening) have been allayed. The Welsh International described it as 'purely precautionary' stating 'every pitch is like sand at the moment'.

West Brom face a potential defensive reshuffle. Centre-back Semi Ajayi is a major doubt after suffering a hamstring injury against Oxford United, a setback in only his second game back from a lengthy spell out. If Ajayi is ruled out, Kyle Bartley, returning from suspension, is poised to step in against his former club.

Tony Mowbray's side are already without highly influential duo Josh Maja (leg) and Jed Wallace (calf) as they aim to solidify their playoff position. Meanwhile, Alex Mowatt, another former White, is eager to face his old team in this significant Championship encounter.

MOT

Credit: motforum.com

[BelfastAndy]

12.30pm KO - not 12.00pm.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Cheers young Andrew

[BelfastAndy]

The Leeds coach has apparently broken down en route to Elland Road. Not Farke - the bus!!

[BelfastAndy]

[BelfastAndy]

I'll talk to myself

[Billyni]

Working with limited access.
Might try a link though if available?

[cherrypie7]

Nice goal by Firpo. Pressure from West Brom now. ]

[cherrypie7]

Darn. 1-1. Now. It was coming though.

[Rev72]

Not good defensively , bit lacklustre , WBA edged that 1st half , we blew our load on Monday perhaps , player?s need to realise we have not achieved anything yet still plenty of games to go as well.