Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Elland Road

Image source, EPA

There is always something new about coming to Elland Road these days.

I thought around this game it would be the fact Marcelo Bielsa named his starting line-up in a pre-match press conference that took place on Wednesday.

But no. Bielsa's programme notes are impressive. In particular the bit where he talks about last weekend's defeat at Chelsea caught my eye.

He doesn't just say Leeds didn't press the ball well enough, he explains it in minute detail, including this: "We needed to make it more uncomfortable for them when they were trying to play out from the back in order to neutralise them."

Sounds more like Dr Who than a Premier League manager.

We already knew the Leeds starting XI for tonight's game after boss Marcelo Bielsa revealed it - via his interpreter - at Wednesday's pre-match news conference.

The West Yorkshire side make an enforced change following last weekend's 3-1 loss at Chelsea and a change of system.

Germany international defender Robin Koch has been ruled out for three months with a knee injury so Spain striker Rodrigo comes in.

Leeds XI: Meslier, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski, Raphinha, Dallas, Phillips, Harrison, Klich, Bamford, Rodrigo.

West Ham also make just a single change from the 3-1 defeat at home by Manchester United last time out.

Algeria winger Said Benrahma comes in to replace Arthur Masuaku.

West Ham XI: Fabianski, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Coufal, Rice, Soucek, Benrahma, Bowen, Fornals, Haller.

West Ham United

Image source, Reuters

David Moyes says knowing Leeds' starting XI well in advance does not make West Ham's task any easier.

"I’ve worked in Spain, he’s worked in Spain and quite often the teams are named in advance there," says the Hammers boss.

"It doesn’t happen here in our sport for different reasons, but does it make it easier? I don’t think so because they are a good team and we know what to expect.

"I think their style is terrific to watch. There’s a lot to like about them, they’ve got an incredibly experienced manager and he’s certainly helping their group of players out."

Reason No 628 why it's good to have Leeds United back in the Premier League.

I'm a huge fan of managers revealing their team several days in advance. It should be in the rules. Not sure it's going to catch on though.

Leeds United

We're still a few minutes away from the official team news dropping but I can reveal Leeds' starting line up right away.

Most Premier League managers hate giving away any team information ahead of matches for fear it will give the opposition an advantage.

Not Marcelo Bielsa.

Asked at his pre-match news conference on Wednesday who would replace Diego Llorente and Robin Koch, who both picked up injuries at Chelsea last week, Bielsa reeled off his starting XI to face West Ham.

Meslier, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski, Dallas, Rodrigo, Phillips, Raphinha, Bamford, Harrison, Klich.

John Murray
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator at Elland Road

Image source, Rex Features

Elland Road is brilliantly illuminated by the bulbs on two new floodlight pylons which have been erected behind the John Charles Stand and are lighting up a gloomy December night here in West Yorkshire.

Leeds United are going for what would be only their second home win since promotion. A West Ham win will take them up to fifth in the table.

Image source, Reuters

Hello and welcome to live text coverage of the first of 10 Premier League games to be played over Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Unpredictable and fascinating Leeds United against a mentally resilient and attack-minded West Ham.

Marcelo Bielsa versus David Moyes on the touchline, Kalvin Phillips against Declan Rice in midfield.

This has the potential to be a corker.

Image source, Reuters

It's derby weekend in the Premier League.

United and City lock horns in Manchester, Aston Villa and Wolves are getting ready for a West Midlands showdown, and leaders Tottenham are at London rivals Crystal Palace.

Kicking it all off at Elland Road, it's the Robert Snodgrass derby.