Leeds United will chase their maiden win of the season on Friday evening (20.00) when they welcome West Bromwich Albion to Elland Road in the third round of the Championship.

The Lilywhites have taken just one point from their opening two matches, while the visitors lost on the opening day of the season, but made amends for it last weekend by beating Swansea City.

Team News

Daniel Farke has a strong squad to choose from and could call upon Georginio Rutter, who is available again after an injury layoff.

Meanwhile, Baggies boss Carlos Corberan may opt for consistency and name an unchanged lineup after West Brom’s victory last week. New arrivals Jeremy Sarmiento and Josh Maja are both options to be introduced in the final third if the Spaniard wishes to make a change.

Draw @ 12/5

With both teams failing to convince during the early weeks of the season, this is a difficult match to call, and I can see the sides sharing the spoils.

Despite the confidence West Brom will have gained from the 3-2 win over Swansea, Elland Road is no place for the faint-hearted, and the Baggies still look defensively vulnerable.

Similarly, Leeds have looked equally fragile at the back, and produced just four shots in the first half in their 1-0 loss to Birmingham City, none of which were on target.

The stats certainly favour Leeds – West Brom are winless in their last five league games against the Yorkshire outfit, losing four and drawing one. Leeds United have lost in only one of their last 12 home league games against West Brom, winning eight and drawing three.

However, given their performances so far in the new campaign, I can see this one playing out as a draw.

Over 2.5 goals @ 10/11

Whether it’s through moments of quality or haphazard defending, it seems inevitable that this game will be full of chances and quite possibly goals.

Since last season, Leeds have seen both teams score in each of their last nine competitive home fixtures, including both games in front of their own support over the past fortnight. Eight of those nine games also saw over 2.5 match goals.

West Brom have also seen plenty of goals as of late – the Baggies have seen both teams score in nine of their last 11 matches since April, including their pre-season friendlies. All nine of those matches also saw at least three goals scored.

Therefore, I can see a high-scoring match playing out here.