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Writer's pictureJonny Chick

Leeds vs West Ham Preview: Whites look to bounce back with a win at Elland Road


Leeds United will welcome West Ham United to Elland Road on Friday night, as they look to pick up only their second home win of the season.


Marcelo Bielsa's side failed to build on an impressive 1-0 win at Everton, as they lost 3-1 to Frank Lampard's Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge last Saturday night, Leeds' third defeat in five games.


That loss meant Leeds fell to 14th in the Premier League table, however, with an eight-point advantage on the bottom three, the Elland Road faithful won't be worrying about the possibility of relegation just yet.


A win on Friday night would see Leeds jump into the top half of the table, and it would be just their second home win of the season, with a 4-3 victory over Fulham back in September being the only time United have picked up maximum points at Elland Road this campaign.


However, Leeds will be without defensive duo Robin Koch and Diego Llorente for their clash with West Ham, after they both suffered injuries against Chelsea.


German international Robin Koch is set to be out for up to three months after undergoing knee surgery, while Spain international Diego Llorente could face at least two weeks on the sidelines.


Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Marcelo Bielsa said: "In the case of Llorente, he was completely healed and in condition to play. For Koch, his knee injury at Liverpool, we knew he would have surgery whether that be before or after.


"He could play without any problem these 10 games, so much so he played three games with Germany in a row. What happened with Koch was a collision with Giroud."


Bielsa added the only change he will make to the side is Rodrigo in for Koch, as he revealed his starting eleven.


Northern Ireland international Stuart Dallas will move to right-back, Luke Ayling will partner club captain Liam Cooper in central defense, while Gjanni Alioski will return to left-back.


Meanwhile, West Ham will be hoping to bounce back from last Saturday's 3-1 defeat at home to Manchester United, with the aim of making a push for the top five with a win in West Yorkshire, as they currently sit 8th in the Premier League table on 17 points, just three points below Southhampton who occupy 5th place.


The Hammers will be in high spirits despite their loss to the Red Devils last weekend, as that was only their second defeat in the league since the 27th of September, with the other coming against defending champions Liverpool.


However, West Ham have injury concerns for themselves as well.


If the Hammers are to pick up all three points on Friday, they will have to do it without defender Arthur Masuaku who has been ruled out after career-saving surgery to his knee, while striker Michael Antonio is also a doubt for Friday's game.

West Ham manager David Moyes said: "Most of the rest of the squad are okay at the moment. We’re waiting on Ryan Fredericks - he had an injury for a day or two with a bit of a groin strain and has just come back."


Previous meetings


Leeds last faced West Ham back in the 2011/12 season when both sides were in the Championship.


Defender Danny Collins scored a last-minute equaliser to cancel out a Lucciano Becchio opener at Elland Road, while at Upton Park Adam Clayton equalised in injury time and sent the away end into raptures as the Whites drew 2-2 in East London.


Match information

Leeds United vs. West Ham United

English Premier League

20:00 Friday 11th December

Elland Road

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