West Brom vs Leeds United Preview
West Brom welcome Leeds United to The Hawthorns on August 17 at 12:30 pm in a clash of promotion hopefuls. The Baggies began their season with an impressive win on the road last weekend.
Leeds left it late to rescue a point at Elland Road in a thrilling season opener. Can Daniel Farke’s side claim their first win of the season or will West Brom make it two-from-two in the new campaign?
West Brom vs Leeds United Head-To-Head and Key Stats
West Brom and Leeds United have plenty of history, having met on 92 occasions in competitive action. There have been 20 draws in this fixture, but Leeds has bragging rights. They have defeated the Baggies 38 times. West Brom isn’t far behind with 34 victories
These sides clashed twice last season. They played their first fixture nearly a year ago at Elland Road for their third game of the season. A fiery affair saw nine yellow cards handed out between them. Brandon Thomas-Asante opened the scoring for West Brom in the 52nd minute despite Leeds dominating the game. Luke Ayling headed in a leveller 20 minutes later to claim a point at home. The Whites finished with 16 shots to four, 58% possession, and left wondering how they didn’t win the game.
They last clashed in December 2023 in a tightly contested game. Grady Diangana’s strike in the 37th minute earned the hosts a 1-0 victory. Leeds struggled to pry open the Baggies’ defence throughout. That victory strengthened their position in the playoff places and both teams finished in the top six, albeit with unsuccessful playoff runs.
Leeds met newly promoted Portsmouth in their first game of the season last week. A highly entertaining contest finished 3-3 as the Championship new boys stole a point from the title contenders. Daniel Farke’s team entered as an overwhelming favourite. They looked on course for a convincing victory, hitting the bar twice within six minutes before Pascal Struijk converted a penalty in the 10th.
United’s attacking mentality overwhelmed the Portsmouth defence, but poor finishing and some sound saves denied them from doubling their lead. Pompey pounced when Elias Sorensen levelled against the run of play in the 23rd minute. Illan Meslier could only palm the forward’s powerful strike into the back of the net. Callum Lang’s sensational volley in the 41st minute left Leeds red-faced as it gave the visitors an unlikely lead.
Leeds came out hot in the second half. Willy Gnonto made it 2-2 almost immediately after the restart, ending an impressive run with a low finish past Will Norris. However, they again failed to turn their dominance into goals and Lang doubled his tally with a penalty in the 92nd minute to put Pompey in dreamland. Substitute Brendon Aaronson rescued a point for the hosts three minutes later but missed a sitter at the death to steal it. Leeds finished with 69% possession and 22 shots to five. Lapses in concentration at the back left them with just a point to show.
West Brom headed to Loftus Road to play QPR in their first game of the season. Lucas Andersen put the hosts 1-0 up in the 16th minute when the Baggies defence left him unmarked for a free header. Striker Josh Maja levelled with a header of his own in the 25th minute and the first half ended 1-1.
Maja doubled his tally six minutes after the restart with another header, floating in front of Jimmy Dunne to get on the end of Tom Fellows’ cross. West Brom dominated the game and Maja capped off an electrifying performance with a hat-trick to put the game beyond doubt. His goal in the 65th minute gave the Baggies a deserved 3-1 victory. They finished with 61% possession, dominating the ball with 497 passes to 300.
IT'S A HAT TRICK FOR JOSH! 🎩
A quick throw from Darnell finds Fellows, who spins his man brilliantly and crosses for Maja who hooks it into the net! 💪
🔵⚪️ 1-3 💓 | (65') https://t.co/F70O0kCVG6
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) August 10, 2024
West Brom vs Leeds United Predictions
Correct score prediction: West Brom 1-2 Leeds United
This is a tough game to call between two sides pushing for promotion to the Premier League this season. Leeds failed to secure maximum points in their tightly contested clashes during the 23/24 season. West Brom looked impressive in their season-opening victory, and Maja was firing on all cylinders. However, it is hard to ignore that their squad does not match up to Leeds on paper.
Leeds’s squad is full of talent, arguably at Premier League level already. Farke has an embarrassment of riches at Elland Road with the likes of Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, Daniel James and Mateo Joseph forming an electric attacking outfit. They have licked their wounds after drawing their opener and losing in the first round of the EFL Cup. While the Whites look down and out, they will learn from that performance. Our soccer prediction is for a Leeds victory.
Leeds are favourites to win the Championship this season, even with the recent hiccups. That is mainly down to the sheer amount of quality in their squad. Their attack always looks dangerous going forward and there is no better player in the league with the ball at his feet than Gnonto. Even in his absence, they have the likes of Aaronson, Patrick Bamford, Joel Piroe, and Joe Gelhardt, who they can bring off the bench. The depth in this Leeds attack is unlike anything we have seen in the Championship before.
🤪 @georgi_hrt pic.twitter.com/TxnVDzRjLN
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 3, 2024
The Whites won the midfield battle in their season-opener. Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu have formed an excellent partnership in the middle. Their work in the press and quick thinking when playing the ball allows Leeds to control possession, something they will look to do in this game. Leeds can win the game by excelling in that area. However, Georginio Rutter looks to be heading out after Brighton triggered his £40 million release clause.
West Brom is not to be underestimated, and a win for Leeds is far from guaranteed. There must be some worries about the Whites’ defensive frailties. They conceded three against a Pompey side who, man for man, could not match them anywhere on the pitch. The Baggies have a considerably stronger attack than them. Maja is coming off a tremendous performance against QPR and with the home advantage, West Brom can take something from this game.
West Brom vs Leeds United Betting Tips
A bet on Leeds is priced at evens, and they are the favourites for this game. The quality of their squad has our bookmaker opting for the title hopefuls to claim their first win of the campaign on the road. A plus-money bet on a team as talented as Leeds is too good to turn down and we like a wager on the visitors.
Gnonto was the danger man for Leeds in their game against Pompey. He looked untouchable every time he was on the ball and the Blues didn’t know whether to press him or allow him space. The Italian’s directness is a constant thorn in the side of defenders and that will be his bread and butter here. Championship betting markets will look favourably on the forward to register a shot on target. He averaged nearly a shot on target every game last season and had three last week. Wager on the 20-year-old to have two or more shots on target.
🎯 "Picked it out perfectly!" pic.twitter.com/vjMhwaYokt
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 10, 2024
West Brom are 12/5 underdogs in this game. That is an enormous price for a side with the home advantage, won on the road the week prior, and did not lose to this team last season. The Baggies have proven they can take something from Leeds. A double chance bet on West Brom to win or a draw is worth 7/10 with our online sportsbook.
Live betting on a draw could be a sound choice for this match. West Brom edged them out in a tight encounter at home last season before drawing with them at Elland Road. Leeds started slowly in the league last year and following their opening-day draw the same problems may haunt them once again. Wait for the game to start and check the in-play odds on the spoils to be shared.
West Brom Team News
Summer signing Paddy McNair missed the QPR game but was available for selection. He will probably make his debut at The Hawthorns. Grady Diangana sat out most of the preseason with a knee injury and is working on his fitness before he can return. Daryl Dike injured his Achilles in February and is expected out until at least the end of 2024.
Club captain Jed Wallace’s calf injury will keep him out for at least another two weeks. Carlos Corberan is likely to name an unchanged starting 11 following last weekend’s triumph.
- Predicted lineup: Palmer, Furlong, McNair, Bartley, Heggem, Molumby, Mowatt, Fellows, Swift, Ahearne-Grant, Maja.
Leeds United Team News
Daniel Farke’s squad has a clean bill of health and suspensions ahead of their trip to the Midlands. Brenden Aaronson came off the bench last weekend and made a real difference. He could step into the starting 11 ahead of Daniel James, who was largely ineffective. That is likely to be the only change Farke makes to his side.
- Predicted lineup: Meslier, Bogle, Struijk, Rodon, Firpo, Gruev, Ampadu, Rutter, Aaronson, Gnonto, Joseph.
