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Joe Donnohue

Leeds United v West Ham United team news as Marcelo Bielsa sticks to his guns with starting XI

Leeds United do battle with West Ham this evening and team news makes for very interesting reading at Elland Road.

As expected, Marcelo Bielsa has stuck with the XI named in his Wednesday press conference, with Luke Ayling expected to deputise at centre-back in place of injured duo Robin Koch and Diego Llorente.

Liam Cooper retains his place and the captaincy, straddled by Ezgjan Alioski on the left and Stuart Dallas on the right of defence.

In midfield is where it gets rather exciting, with Raphinha starting his third consecutive game for the Whites, however there is a recall for Spanish international Rodrigo Moreno who has looked lively throughout his recent substitute appearances - especially against Arsenal.

Is everything okay with Pablo?

Alongside him in midfield is Kalvin Phillips screening the defence, with Mateusz Klich playing slightly in front, and Jack Harrison starting on the left, a position he has made his own under Marcelo Bielsa.

As seen in previous outings, Raphinha and Harrison could be expected to swap wings during the contest, in an attempt to test the West Ham defence and their concentration.

Patrick Bamford unsurprisingly leads the line in attack, hoping to make it nine goals in his first 12 Premier League outings as a Leeds United player.

In reserve, Leeds have Pablo Hernandez back amongst the squad, having missed the past four matches through injury.

Kiko Casilla, Tyler Roberts, Jamie Shackleton, Pascal Struijk, Helder Costa and Ian Poveda are all on the bench too.

Marcelo Bielsa's opposite number David Moyes doubted the sincerity of the Argentine's starting XI disclosure, but has been proved wrong.

Moyes names a side with a handful of changes, including a first start for Said Benrahma.

The ever-reliable Lukasz Fabianski continues in goal, hoping to earn a fifth Premier League clean sheet of the season. In front of him, his defensive line makes for interesting reading from a Leeds United perspective, with Arthur Masuaku absent and Aaron Cresswell shifting back across to left-back, Moyes names a back four.

Vladimir Coufal starts at right wing-back in place of Ryan Fredericks who returns to the bench. Centre-back duo Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena add plenty of height to this West Ham side at set-pieces, which could be a concern for Leeds.

Similarly, midfield pairing Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek are lofty presences in the penalty area, both of whom start tonight.

As expected, former Hull City man Jarrod Bowen starts in attack, with Sebastien Haller leading the Hammers' line. Pablo Fornals also starts for the Hammers in what is an attacking line-up.

On the bench for the visitors are Darren Randolph, Ryan Fredericks, Ben Johnson, Craig Dawson, Mark Noble, Robert Snodgrass and Manuel Lanzini.

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