After five Premier League games without victory, Leeds hope to end the first real mini crisis of Marcelo Bielsa’s three-year tenure by beating West Ham but it will not be easy. Bielsa could be without five key first-teamers including his centre-forward Patrick Bamford, who has already been ruled out with an ankle injury. “There comes a time when you have to demonstrate the project can resolve these uncomfortable situations,” said the Leeds manager. “We have sufficient players and we are prepared to adapt to the absences.” Such adaption will entail no change of playing philosophy. “Our project is to play the same as last year,” said Bielsa. “I don’t see the opponent has any different antidotes to those used last season.” Louise Taylor
Saturday 3pm
Venue Elland Road
Last season Leeds 1 West Ham 2
Referee Kevin Friend
This season n/a
Odds H 2-1 A 11-4 D 7-5
LEEDS
Subs from Klaesson, Forshaw, Harrison, Cresswell, McCarron, Summerville, Shackleton, Geldhardt, Hjelde, Greenwood, Kenneh, McKinstry
Doubtful Raphinha (hip), Harrison (Covid-19), Ayling (knee)
Injured Llorente (knock, 2 Oct), Bamford (ankle, 2 Oct), Koch (pelvis, unknown),
Suspended Struijk (second of three)
Discipline Y11 R1
Form LDDLD
Leading scorer Raphinha 2
WEST HAM
Subs from Areola, Randolph, Dawson, Diop, Masuaku, Johnson, Kral, Noble, Lanzini, Vlasic, Yarmolenko, Baptiste
Doubtful None
Injured Fredericks (groin, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y3 R1
Form WWDDL
Leading scorer Antonio 4
