Leeds vs West Brom prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-08-17 19:00.
Achieving just one of the first six available points wasn’t part of the plan for relegated Leeds United in their search for an immediate top-flight return, yet a number of off-pitch issues have provided no shortage of distractions for the Yorkshire club. Daniel Farke lamented the “hangover” they’re experiencing, and the recent mass exodus of players, coupled with Willy Gnonto’s controversial refusal to play, has only served to exacerbate their misfortune.
An Elland Road return isn’t guaranteed to stimulate further progress, but the fact they’ve come from behind to avoid defeat in both of their competitive games here this season (W1, D1) says something about the added edge the home faithful provide them. Perhaps this is the game to kick on then, as Leeds haven’t trailed at home against West Bromwich Albion since 2007, scoring eight goals across three wins ever since.
Carlos Corberán’s West Brom have similar aims of promotion this season and they finally got their first win of the season over Swansea last weekend, as the manager made his touchline return following a one-game ban for improper conduct. The emerging theme of West Brom’s early campaign is that both teams have scored in all three of their competitive outings, although that hasn’t stopped the side scoring first from going on to win all three (WBA: W1, L2).
Ending that sequence with a clean sheet may be top of the order for the Baggies, who have fittingly been rather loose at the back, having conceded at least twice in each of an ongoing run of four straight away defeats. Despite that rotten run, there is always hope as the visitors managed to avoid defeat in 60% of their road league games as pre-match outsiders last season (W1, D2, L2).
Players to watch: Leeds had to name two goalkeepers on the bench last time out due to the off-pitch chaos, so the onus may be on Joe Gelhardt to build on his home EFL Cup goal. As for West Brom, John Swift scored the decisive third goal from the spot last weekend, taking his converted penalty record to an impressive seven from eight.
Hot stat: Leeds have failed to win seven of their last 11 home league games as pre-match favourites (W4, D5, L2).