West Brom predicted XI v Leeds United: Mowbray to make key change at Elland Road
Tony Mowbray will be glad to welcome back one of his key West Brom players at the right time with a visit to Leeds United looming.
The Baggies returned to winning ways last weekend by overcoming Oxford United 2-0 at The Hawthorns, with Alex Mowatt netting against his former club before John Swift added a last-gasp second on the break.
Elland Road, however, is expected to provide a much tougher task on Saturday (1 March) and Mowbray may look to take a more conservative approach against the Championship leaders.
Mowbray has bittersweet defensive situation
West Brom are buoyed by the availability of Kyle Bartley for this weekend, with the centre-half having served his suspension after his red card against Sheffield Wednesday (8 February).
The bad news for Mowbray is that Semi Ajayi is once again absent, having been forced off the field during the first half against Oxford despite having filled in well for Bartley during his three-match ban.
It is expected that Bartley, who once spent a brief spell at Leeds United, will be thrown straight back into the side at the heart of the defence at his old stomping ground in what can be considered a key change.
With West Brom having finally returned to a winning note last weekend, Mowbray may be inclined to retain the rest of his starting XI.
Joe Wildsmith will start again in goal, with Darnell Furlong, Torbjorn Heggem and Callum Styles completing the backline after Bartley’s return.
Alex Mowatt could make it two goals against two former clubs in the space of seven days should he net against the side with whom he became a professional player, with Jayson Molumby alongside.
Tom Fellows and Mikey Johnston are still looking to cement their long-term starting places under Mowbray and could again be given the nod on either wing, while Isaac Price continues to impress creatively and should remain in an attacking midfield role.
Adam Armstrong was missing his shooting boots against Oxford last time out but the proof is in the pudding when it comes to what the on-loan striker can do in the Championship. He has a knack recently for scoring against Leeds, too, and should start ahead of Will Lankshear.
The attacking depth the Baggies boast mean the likes of the young Tottenham loanee, as well as players such as Tammer Bany and Daryl Dike, will certainly provide firepower from the bench.
West Brom could surprise a few v Leeds
Leeds will undoubtedly be favourites at Elland Road, as they are for almost every fixture they approach in the Championship.
But we have seen Daniel Farke’s side buckle under a degree of pressure before, when they slipped into the play-offs last season and ended up the second of Southampton’s scalps at the end of term after Saints had eliminated the Baggies in the semi-finals.
West Brom have the attacking firepower to get at Leeds and ask a few questions of their defence. Potential summer departure Fellows up against Junior Firpo could be an interesting battle, with the Dominican Republic left-back certainly a force going forward but at times defensively suspect.
| POS | Championship table 2024-25 | PLD | PTS | GD |
| 1 | Leeds United | 34 | 75 | +50 |
| 2 | Sheffield United | 34 | 70 | +22 |
| 3 | Burnley | 34 | 68 | +34 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 34 | 62 | +19 |
| 5 | West Brom | 34 | 51 | +13 |
| 6 | Blackburn | 34 | 51 | +5 |
Price is also likely to be a key influence depending on how much possession Albion can muster during the contest. The defence have to be alert against a ruthless frontline of Farke’s – Bartley cannot afford to exhibit any sign of rust when he comes back in.
Some may consider this game a formality in Leeds’ favour, but West Brom are inside the top six for a reason and must show plenty of fight.