Team news, what's been said, key stats and the Friday record - 5 things you need to know ahead of Leeds United v West Ham

Have you missed any of the build-up ahead of tonight's highly-anticipated Premier League showdown between Leeds United and West Ham?

If so, we've got you covered in our bitesize look ahead to the encounter in LS11. Here are five things you need to know ahead of kick-off:

Team news

Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa has been hit by a double defensive blow with central defenders Robin Koch and Diego Llorente ruled out.

Koch has undergone knee surgery this week and is set to be missing for up to three months with Llorente picking up a muscular problem, leaving him absent for several weeks.

Pablo Hernandez and Jamie Shackleton have been given a clean bill of health for the clash in LS11 while long-term absentee Adam Forshaw remains sidelined.

David Moyes meanwhile has one major doubt ahead of kick-off in the form of striker Michail Antonio.

The Hammers striker has been missing in recent weeks due to a hamstring complaint that saw him miss last weekend's defeat to Manchester United.

Fellow attacker Andriy Yarmolenko should return to Moyes' squad for the visit to West Yorkshire, having received the all clear following a positive coronavirus test whilst on international duty.

Defender Ryan Fredericks is the only other Hammers injury concern - the wing-back is currently recovering from a groin strain.

What Marcelo Bielsa has said...

“The teams that are stabilised in the Premier League, they have the possibility to correct the aspects that they feel are weaknesses," Bielsa said during his pre-match press conference.

“If a team continues with the same coach then these improvements are more visible.

“What West Ham have, is that they have two players per position in their attacking positions who are similar or of the same quality.

“For example West Ham don’t have in their starting line-up Andriy Yarmolenko, Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio.

“They loaned out Felipe Anderson, this gives you the idea they’re a team that has a good offensive potential.

“They have a structure of seven defensive players which is also very solid.

“They also have a clear view of when they need to attack, defend, and when they need to play, which are all aspects of a good coach.”

What David Moyes has said...

"They have been very good, Leeds," Moyes said during his pre-match press conference.

"We have all been watching them closely for the last year or two and I always thought that Leeds coming back to the Premier League would add to the division and that is certainly the case.

"I think they have been involved in some very good games. Their style is terrific to watch and there is a lot to like about it. They have got an incredibly experienced manager and has got a good group of players in."

Leeds United's Friday record

Leeds United have never lost a top flight home game played on a Friday. (W3 D6)

The key stats

Leading scorer Patrick Bamford (8) has only scored once at Elland Road this season.

Leeds have gone four matches without a win at Elland Road.

Leeds are unbeaten in nine meetings against West Ham, winning five.

West Ham have only lost twice in their last eight away league matches.