Sam Allardyce’s Baggies will want to bow out of the Premier League on a high when they visit Leeds United on Sunday afternoon (ko 4pm).
Their last time out
The Whites continued their winning run with a 2-0 away victory over Southampton on Tuesday evening.
Goals from top scorer Patrick Bamford and substitute Tyler Roberts were enough to see Leeds overcome the Saints, and ensure a top-10 finish in their debut season in England’s top tier.
In the dugout
Marcelo Bielsa’s style of coaching has continued to excite and entertain on England’s elite footballing stage this term.
The Argentinian is currently enjoying the longest tenure of his managerial career in west Yorkshire, having stayed at the other seven clubs he’s coached no longer than two seasons. Now in his third season at the helm of the Whites, Bielsa has moulded a side which, he hopes, will be pushing for European football next term after an eye-catching debut campaign in the top flight.
Bielsa joined the club in June 2018 and bounced back from Play-Off heartache in his first year in charge by securing automatic promotion to the Premier League - along with the Baggies - in July 2020. And after their victory against Saints last time out cemented a top-half finish in England’s elite tier, Leeds have largely kept the same squad which won them the Championship.
Although forward Patrick Bamford had experienced the intensity of the Premier League in the past during his spell with Middlesbrough, his first full campaign of top-flight football under Bielsa couldn’t have gone any better. As well as putting himself in contention for a potential place in England’s Euro 2021 squad, the 27-year-old has equalled his league goals tally from last season while providing eight assists - with a total 24 goal contributions from 37 matches.
Another example of a player who’s benefited from Bielsa’s system is Kalvin Phillips, whose first senior call-up to the Three Lions this term shows the lengths in which the former Athletic Bilbao, Lazio and Marseille coach has brought on his current Leeds side over more than two-and-a-half years at the club.
One to watch
While Bamford and Phillips have stood out, summer signing Raphinha has added skill and flair to United’s attacking play.
The Brazilian secured his first spell in English football after moving from French side Stade Rennais, and the confident winger has become a fan favourite among the Leeds faithful.
A number of dazzling performances has seen the 24-year-old turn draws into wins for the Whites - most notably against Everton and Fulham, and Raphinha’s quick feet, smart finishing and speed on the break have been important elements of Leeds’ forward play.
The stats prove this, with the tricky attacker recording 14 direct goal involvements over 29 appearances this season. And after netting in the reverse game against the Baggies back in December 2020, the Brazilian will be looking to do the same again on Sunday as he looks to end the campaign on a scoring note.
Our last meeting
It was a heavy defeat for the Baggies when they faced the Whites at the end of 2020 at The Hawthorns.
But Albion have enjoyed some thumping victories over Leeds in the past, such as the 4-1 Hawthorns triumph over their Yorkshire counterparts in November 2018.
Stats
Leeds
- The Whites are the division’s joint-sixth highest scorers
- Patrick Bamford is currently the joint-fifth highest scorer in the PL
- Leeds No.1 Illan Meslier is the youngest keeper in PL history, at 21-years-old, to have kept 10 clean sheets in a season
Albion
- Matheus Pereira has six goals in his last eight PL games
- Sam Allardyce has lost just one of his last six managerial duels with Leeds
- Albion have scored in three of their last four away matches
Head to head
| Leeds wins | Draw | Albion wins | |
| League | 34 | 16 | 29 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| League Cup | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 37 | 19 | 33 |
Our one to watch
Hal Robson-Kanu will want to add another goal to his tally before the end of the season.
The Welsh forward scored against 2019/20 champions Liverpool in one of Albion’s last games of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign.
And after seeing the Baggies create a host of chances from their last two matches, the 31-year-old will be hoping to profit on that craft against the Whites this Sunday.
Follow the game
Gez Mulholland will be joined by once midfield-now-microphone maestro Andy Johnson to provide proudly partisan commentary and an expert insight for WBA Radio.
To listen live to Baggies-biased commentary on WBA Radio for free for every home and away match during the 2020/21 season all you have to do is sign up for a free My Albion account.
If you haven't already you can create your My Albion account here. Click Create Account or register quickly with your Facebook or Google account.
Live commentary starts from 15 minutes before kick-off and will be accessible through the live match centre or WBA TV.
If you have any issues registering or accessing your My Albion account please contact myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.
The game is also available to watch on BT Sport.