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Leeds team news vs West Brom: Confirmed line up – Bielsa reveals XI as Whites hunt Norwich
LEEDS will field an unchanged line-up when they face West Bromwich Albion at Elland Road tonight (7.45pm).
Leeds are set to name an unchanged starting XI as they look to go top of the Championship with victory over West Brom.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side suffered a shock defeat to Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night but have the opportunity to bounce back when the Baggies visit Elland Road.
Three points will see the Whites temporarily leapfrog both Norwich and Sheffield United and return to the summit of the table, with Bielsa revealing he will name an unchanged team despite the poor result last time out.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Bielsa said: “It will be the same starting XI and bench.”
That means Kiko Casilla retains his position in goal while the back four will consist of Luke Ayling, Pontus Jansson, Liam Cooper and Ezgjan Alioski.
Kalvin Phillips will sit in front of the defence while Tyler Roberts and Mateusz Klich should start in central midfield with Eunan O’Kane out injured.
Pablo Hernandez will line up on the right wing while Jack Harrison is expected to feature on the opposite flank.
Patrick Bamford will be the lone striker, despite having scored just three goals in 11 league appearances for Leeds since his move from Middlesbrough.
The bench will consist of Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Barry Douglas, Stuart Dallas, Gaetano Berardi, Izzy Brown, Jamie Shackleton and Robbie Gotts.
Bielsa has often revealed his starting XI for matches well in advance of kick-off, although the Argentine has raised eyebrows with his latest selection.
An off-colour display at Loftus Road saw Leeds slip off the pace at the top and fans could well have expected some changes in personnel.
However the 63-year-old has kept faith in his players and will look for a response against West Brom, who are currently fourth in the table and four points behind tonight’s opponents.
Leeds United confirmed line-up vs West Bromwich Albion – Championship
(4-1-4-1): Casilla; Ayling, Jansson, Cooper, Alioski; Phillips; Hernandez, Roberts, Klich, Harrison; Bamford