Leeds United welcome West Bromwich Albion to Elland Road on Sunday afternoon, knowing that a win could put them in eighth place in the Premier League table.
The host have already confirmed their stay in the top half of the Premier League table and will be aiming to finish as high as eighth with a win against the Baggies on what is the final matchday of the 2020/21 Premier League season.
They currently sit comfortably in tenth place, four points above eleventh-placed Aston Villa. Leeds goes into this game in excellent form, losing just once in their last Premier League games and also picking up all the nine points available in their last three fixtures.
Despite crucial defender injuries, the Yorkshire team have the chance to finish ahead of Everton and Arsenal in the eighth. Although Bielsa has already rested a few players in preparation for Euro 2020, he would want to finish the season on a high note.
The Baggies, on the other hand, will aim to finish on a high note in what has been a frustrating season in the English top flight. They have been relegated and sit in the nineteenth place and will be aiming to finish eighteenth in what is manager Sam Allardyce’s last game at the club as he has decided to step down after a poor 2020/21 Premier League campaign.
West Brom have been in abysmal form, failing to win any of their last six games and also losing all of their last three games. The Baggies suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat the last time they faced Leeds and will be hopeful to at least put up a good show in their final game in England’s top flight.
Team News
Leeds United
Kiko Casilla will retain his place in goal for Leeds’ final game of the season, as confirmed by Marcelo Bielsa. Gaetano Berardi could make his first start of the season after 45 minutes in midweek, according to the Leeds boss as he prepares to depart Leeds.
Diego Llorente and Kalvin Phillips could be left on the bench ahead of representing their countries in the European Championship. Pablo Hernandez, who is also leaving the club this summer, and Ian Poveda-Ocampo will have to settle for a place among the substitutes.
West Brom
Meanwhile, Allardyce will try to strike a balance between selecting a team capable of winning the game and players who are likely to play a key role in the squad next season. Allardyce can keep Hal Robson-Kanu in the starting lineup to help him gain momentum heading into Euro 2020. Grady Diangana and Karlan Grant are also in line to start, while Dara O’Shea could return in defence.
Matheus Pereira is a doubt for Sunday’s trip to Leeds, and his absence will be devastating for the Baggies.
Predicted Lineups
Leeds United (4-1-4-1): Casilla; Ayling, Berardi, Cooper, Dallas; Struijk; Raphinha, Roberts, Rodrigo, Harrison; Bamford.
West Brom (4-4-2): Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Townsend; Phillips, Gallagher, Yokuslu, Maitland-Niles; Diagne, Robson-Kanu.
Prediction
Leeds United 4-1 West Bromwich Albion
