Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion face off against fourth-placed Leeds United on Tuesday night in an important match for both sides in the Championship.
West Brom haven’t yet lost in the league, while Leeds lost for their second time last weekend, and will look to bounce back.
The match will be a close one at Elland Road, where we witnessed a 4-0 mauling by Leeds last time these two sides met.
Let’s take a look at the key battles in the match between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion.
Leeds United vs West Brom: 3 Key Battles
#3 Matt Phillips vs Ezgjan Alioski
West Brom winger Matt Phillips has got off to a good start in the Championship this season, scoring four times and registering an assist in nine games.
The quick winger can cause a lot of problems to Leeds United left-back Ezgjan Alioski, who is actually a winger by trade, but has done well so far at left-back.
Alioski is a good crosser and passer of the ball, and can get up and down the flank and even chip in with a goal or two. His defensive qualities have improved over the last few months, but Phillips’ pace and power will be a test for the Macedonian international.
#2 Semi Ajayi vs Eddie Nketiah
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa could give on-loan striker Eddie Nketiah an opportunity in place of Patrick Bamford for the game against West Brom. The on-loan Arsenal striker has scored 4 goals in 7 appearances, including 2 in the league, and will want to show the Bielsa that he deserves a more starts at Leeds.
He will be up against the strong and powerful Semi Ajayi, in the West Brom backline. Ajayi, who moved from Rotherham United to West Brom in the summer, has impressed so far alongside Kyle Bartley at the heart of the West Brom defence. But he will have a stern test in the form of Nketiah, who is a goalscorer and has ample pace to cause problems.
#1 Matheus Pereira vs Kalvin Phillips
Brazilian attacking midfielder Matheus Pereira has taken to the Championship with ease since moving from Sporting Lisbon on loan.
The 23-year-old scored his first goal for the club last weekend against QPR, while he has also registered three assists in the season so far.
He will be up against another young, talented midfielder in Kalvin Phillips, who has gone on to become one of the most important players in the Leeds side. Phillips shields the backline very well, and may be tasked with the duty of marking Pereira.