West Ham will travel to Yorkshire to face Leeds on Friday night to kick off the latest weekend of Premier League action.
Unusually, the Hammers head to Elland Road knowing the team they are in line to face as Marcelo Bielsa took the unique approach of announcing his starting lineup 48 hours in advance of the match.
Whilst David Moyes will be coyer with his own team selection, the Irons manager would have been buoyed by his opposite number’s confirmation that he will be without two key players.
Bielsa confirmed that the injury crisis at Leeds has worsened and they will be without Diego Llorente as well as fellow centre-back Robin Koch for the game on Friday night.
With two centre-backs absent, the versatile Luke Ayling could be moved across from his customary right-back position.
So far this season, it has been Leeds’ attacking players who have caught the eye – but with defensive frailties already evident before the injuries to Koch and Llorente, West Ham can be confident of inflicting more defensive damage.
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Koch in particular is a major loss for Leeds. The German had played in all 11 league games this season and has perhaps been the standout performer in an otherwise shaky backline.
Moyes goes into this one with only Michail Antonio absent from what would be considered his strongest lineup.
Antonio’s absence will likely hand another bite at the cherry for Sebastien Haller – who, with at least one makeshift centre-back to pray upon, should be more than up for the opportunity to prove his worth to his manager.
