West Bromwich Albion vs Leeds United

15th August

Leeds United are the first visitors to The Hawthorns in the 2024/25 Sky Bet Championship campaign, with the Whites heading to the West Midlands on Saturday lunchtime for a 12.30pm kick-off.

Albion will be determined to put on a show in front of their own supporters in their maiden home match and will be bouyed by last weekend's impressive 3-1 triumph at QPR on the opening day.

Visitors Leeds missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season, losing 1-0 to Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley.

They fought back to claim a dramatic 3-3 at Elland Road against newly-promoted Portsmouth on matchday one, with Brenden Aaronson scoring a 95th-minute leveller.

The Baggies took four points off Saturday's visitors last year, drawing 1-1 away from home in August before securing a narrow 1-0 success in December in B71.

a general view of the Halfords Lane stand at The Hawthorns shot through a goal net — The Baggies are back in B71 on Saturday

Follow the action LIVE

UK supporters can listen to live audio commentary of Albion's showdown with Leeds United at The Hawthorns.

Audio passes are available to purchase here.

International Video passes, can be purchased here.

Details for video streaming on WBA TV are available here.

Gez Mulholland and former Baggie Andy Johnson will provide live commentary, with coverage starting at 12.20pm.

Supporters are kindly asked to direct any questions or complaints about WBA TV or WBA Radio to wbatvsupport@streamamg.com.

The club are unable to answer queries about WBA TV or WBA Radio sent to fans@wbafc.co.uk or myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.

Regular updates will also be posted across the club's social media channels throughout the day.

The visitors

Leeds will be searching for their first win of the new term when they visit The Hawthorns this Saturday.

The Whites drew 3-3 at home to Portsmouth in their Sky Bet Championship opener in a game which saw them come from behind twice to earn a point.

On Wednesday, Daniel Farke's outfit suffered a 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough in front of their own supporters in the first round of the Carabao Cup - the second match in-a-row where they've conceded exactly three goals.

Last season's star men Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray have departed for the Premier League, joining West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, however, Leeds still boast some of the division's top talent within their ranks and will be confident of challenging for promotion again this time around.

German Daniel Farke is into his second season as the boss having been appointed in July 2023. The former Norwich City and Borussia Mönchengladbach gaffer has a record of 31 victories from his 57 games in charge, losing just 13.

Leeds United celebrate scoring a goal against Portsmouth at Elland Road — The Whites had a dramatic opening fixture against Portsmouth

One from the history books

Grady Diangana's close-range finish proved the be the difference when the two teams went head-to-head at The Hawthorns last season.

Watch the highlights below.

The last five at The Hawthorns

Albion 1-0 Leeds United

December 2023, Sky Bet Championship

Albion 0-5 Leeds United

December 2020, Premier League

Albion 1-1 Leeds United

January 2022, Sky Bet Championship

Albion 4-1 Leeds United

November 2018, Sky Bet Championship

Albion 3-1 Leeds United

January 2007, FA Cup

Semi Ajayi scores against Leeds at The Hawthorns in January 2020 — Semi Ajayi scored the Baggies' first goal of 2020 against Leeds

The stats

Albion's 1-0 triumph over Leeds at The Hawthorns in December 2023 was their first win over the Whites in seven league meetings (D2 L4). Saturday's visitors, however, have only won one of their last five league games at the home of the Baggies (L3, D1).

The Baggies have scored exactly one goal in four of the last five encounters with Leeds.

Albion have kept more clean sheets in home games than any other Sky Bet Championship team since the start of the 2023/24 season (12 - excludes play-off fixtures).

Saturday lunchtime's clash will be the 93rd between the two rivals. The Baggies have 34 victories to their name, Leeds have 38, with 20 draws also being played out.

Only one of the last 16 head-to-head matches in all competitions at The Hawthorns has ended level.

Kyle Bartley in action for Albion at QPR wearing a pink kit and a captain's armband — Former Leeds defender Kyle Bartley helped the Baggies have one of the best defensive records last term

The ticket details

Tickets are on sale to supporters with a booking history for Albion’s encounter against Leeds United.

Seats are priced from £30 adults, £25 seniors (65+), £20 for supporters aged 20-25, £14 for supporters aged 17-19 and just £5 under-17s.

An adult disabled supporter ticket is priced £20 and includes free access for a personal assistant.

Tickets can be purchased online, in-person from the East Stand Ticket Office or by calling 0121 227 2227.

When buying online, supporters will need to be logged into their My Albion account linked to their ticketing ID. Click here for instructions.

Please note, Baggies fans can either opt to use the ‘WBA Tickets On The Go’ app or print their ticket at home - there will be no paper tickets available for the 2024/25 season.

For the fans

The Fan Zone will be back for the first home game of the season!

Both West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United supporters in possession of a valid match ticket can enter for free from 10am onwards.

Fans can enjoy a wide variety of activities, including inflatable games for the kids, spot prizes to be won and Tom from West Brom playing all of your favourite tunes live!

A number of food and drink offerings will also be available, so head on down and soak up the pre-match atmosphere.

A general view of thousands of WBA fans cheering at The Hawthorns

Supporters will also be able to enjoy the famous taste of Pukka Pies again during the 2024/25 season, with the pastry brand returning to The Hawthorns concourses.

Also a new Chicken Tikka Wrap will be available for purchase within the ground, as we endeavour to provide as many catering options to fans as possible.

17th August

Albion played out a 0-0 draw against Leeds United at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon.

The sides were made to share the Sky Bet Championship spoils in B71, with neither breaking the deadlock during an otherwise decent encounter.

Carlos Corberán’s men have gathered four points from their two league fixtures so far - and face a trip to Stoke City next weekend.

An image of Tom Fellows dribbling with the ball against Leeds

The boss reverted back to the same XI that overcame QPR on the opening day as they made their maiden Hawthorns outing of 2024/25.

And they played well in a goalless first period without creating too many chances. Instead, Leeds probably threatened more despite having less of the ball.

Junior Firpo’s flick and Ethan Ampadu’s audacious effort both ended up off-target early on, and there were further opportunities for Joel Piroe and Pascal Struijk, too, who saw attempts go wide.

Down the other end, Kyle Bartley was unable to guide the ball home at the back stick, and the hosts failed to take advantage when flinging in a number of corners, free-kicks and long throws.

An image of Kyle Bartley guiding a chance wide against Leeds

The Baggies came out strongly following the interval and quickly forced Illan Meslier into action for the first time, the energetic Jayson Molumby shooting straight at him from inside the area.

Karlan Grant was then set up by the Irish midfielder midway through the second period but could only side-foot off-target, with Bartley also nodding past the post soon after.

Corberán introduced Jed Wallace, Lewis Dobbin and Grady Diangana to try and find a late winner - however there were few late openings and it finished 0-0.

Albion: Palmer; Furlong, Bartley, Ajayi, Heggem; Molumby (Diakite 90+3), Mowatt; Grant (Wallace 75), Swift (Diangana 85), Fellows; Maja (Dobbin 85).

Substitutes: Wildsmith, Taylor, McNair, Frabotta, Cole.

Attendance: 25,329 (2,535).

Saturday 17th August 2024 - 12:30