‘Far from perfect’ – Michael Owen predicts Leeds clash v West Brom
Leeds United will aim to build on their narrow win against Burnley on Sunday when they travel to the West Midlands on Tuesday to take on struggling West Brom at The Hawthorns.
Sam Allardyce’s men will be fresh off the back of their impressive 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield but Albion could not have had a more different start to life in the Premier League than Leeds, who were automatically promoted alongside them last season.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men are 12th in the Premier League standings with 20 points from their first 15 games while West Brom are 12 points behind them in 19th and five points away from safety.
Michael Owen has done his latest round of predictions for the upcoming showdown between Leeds and West Brom in the Black Country.
And the former Liverpool striker has tipped the Whites to win 2-1 against Big Sam’s side.
“To say it’s an uphill task to keep West Brom in the Premier League is probably an understatement for new Baggies boss Sam Allardyce,” Owen wrote on the BetVictor website.
“His side must start getting results if they are to maintain any hope of Premier League survival, however, the visit of Leeds to the Hawthorns brings with it another huge task.
“Being at home, the impetus will be on the hosts to take the game to Leeds, and if that happens, I think the visitors will be patient and jump on any loose balls. United are far from perfect at the back, but if they play as they can going forward, I think they’ll take the points back to Elland Road.”
One of those games?
Let’s face it, Leeds should win this match. When the Whites take on teams they should beat – like Fulham, Sheffield United, Newcastle and Burnley – they usually win.
Crystal Palace and West Ham are probably the only two teams there have been question marks around this season with Leeds losing both matches when they probably should have done better.
However, this trip to West Brom is looking like one of the most winnable away days of the season so Leeds should be able to return to Yorkshire with all three points in the bag.
But football doesn’t work like that and Allardyce managed to grind out a well-earned draw for the Baggies at Anfield on Sunday.
West Brom, albeit for the goal, were disciplined defensively and managed to even have four shots on target against Liverpool, who only mustered two themselves.
It won’t be an easy game, that’s for sure but we’re willing to agree with Owen and say this should be a 2-1 win for the Whites.
In other Leeds United news, fans slaughtered this “terrible” Leeds player despite the 1-0 win against Burnley.