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Leeds logo
Premier League | Gameweek 38
May 23, 2021 at 4pm UK
Elland Road
West Brom logo

Leeds
3 - 1
West Brom

Rodrigo (17'), Phillips (42'), Bamford (79' pen.)
Cooper (1'), Phillips (90+4')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Preview: Leeds United vs. West Bromwich Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Premier League clash between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Leeds United welcome West Bromwich Albion to Elland Road knowing that victory on Sunday afternoon could secure eighth position in the Premier League table.

Despite having already announced his departure at the end of the season, Sam Allardyce will want to move the Baggies up to 18th spot before his exit from The Hawthorns.


Match preview

Leeds United's Patrick Bamford celebrates scoring against Southampton in the Premier League on May 18, 2021© Reuters

Earlier in the year, there was talk of this Leeds side faltering during the closing months of the season due to Marcelo Bielsa persisting with his relentless playing style.

However, victories over Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley and Southampton for the loss of just one goal have only strengthened the argument that the Argentine should come under consideration for manager of the season.

Despite injuries to key defenders, the Yorkshire giants have already guaranteed 10th position and still have the opportunity to finish above Everton and Arsenal in eighth.

While Bielsa has already rested a couple of players ahead of the Euro 2020, he will want to end an excellent campaign on a high and with more prize money for the club.

Rodrigo Moreno has been left frustrated with his lack of starts this season, but the Spaniard has contributed three goals and an assist in his last 121 minutes of football.

West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce on May 9, 2021© Reuters

Staying on the subject of frustration and Allardyce struggled to hide his disappointment in midweek as he reflected on failing to keep the Baggies in the Premier League.

The veteran boss has taken the decision to step down from his role as manager, a move which has divided opinion among the club's fanbase given their improvements in recent months.

Nevertheless, successive wins over Chelsea and Southampton have been followed by six matches without success, strengthening the argument that West Brom will benefit from progressing in a different direction.

Allardyce has witnessed his side score 14 times during that period, but it has been six encounters since they last recorded a clean sheet.

The West Midlands outfit will only move into 18th position if they can defeat Leeds and Newcastle United are able to overcome Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Leeds United Premier League form:
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W

West Bromwich Albion Premier League form:
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • L



Team News

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa on May 8, 2021.© Reuters

As he prepares to depart Leeds at the end of the season, Gaetano Berardi will likely be provided with a farewell appearance in the starting lineup.

Diego Llorente and Kalvin Phillips could drop down to the substitutes' bench ahead of potentially representing their nations in the European Championship.

Pablo Hernandez, who is also leaving the club in the summer, and Ian Poveda-Ocampo may have to make do with a spot among the replacements.

Allardyce will look to find a balance between picking a side which can win the game and players who are likely to become important members of the squad next season.

Grady Diangana and Karlan Grant both come into contention for a start, while Dara O'Shea may return in defence.

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Casilla; Ayling, Berardi, Cooper, Dallas; Struijk; Raphinha, Roberts, Rodrigo, Harrison; Bamford

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Townsend; Phillips, Maitland-Niles, Yokuslu, Diangana; Pereira; Grant


SM words green background

We say: Leeds United 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

With a draw not benefitting the Baggies, we expect the visitors to come out firing on all cylinders. Nevertheless, they could be outclassed by their hosts, who we fancy to record a relatively comfortable win at the weekend.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:



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Written by
Darren Plant

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Leeds United win with a probability of 57.52%. A draw had a probability of 22.2% and a win for West Bromwich Albion had a probability of 20.3%.

The most likely scoreline for a Leeds United win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.08%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.93%) and 2-0 (9.58%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (10.45%), while for a West Bromwich Albion win it was 0-1 (5.51%). The actual scoreline of 3-1 was predicted with a 6.3% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Leeds United would win this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Leeds vs West Brom

Leeds United
83.3%
Draw
8.7%
West Bromwich Albion
8.0%
138
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd22155232112148
2Leeds UnitedLeeds22136341152645
3Burnley2212822891944
4Sunderland22127334181643
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2111462518737
6Middlesbrough22105738281035
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22811326161035
8Watford2110473028234
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds229582830-232
10Millwall217772118328
11Swansea CitySwansea227692424027
12Bristol City226972628-227
13Norwich CityNorwich226883734326
14Queens Park RangersQPR2251072328-525
15Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
16Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
17Coventry CityCoventry2266102834-624
18Preston North EndPreston2241172229-723
19Stoke CityStoke2257102330-722
20Portsmouth204882535-1020
21Hull City2247112131-1019
22Cardiff CityCardiff2146111934-1518
23Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2146112137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2146112245-2318


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