A history-making West Ham United side will return to domestic action when they take on relegation-threatened Leeds United at the London Stadium.
At one stage, West Ham United fans had taken the threat of relegation rather seriously, but how things change in football. While most wanted David Moyes gone immediately or after the season, the Scottish manager has led this team to a European final on one of their best nights in history.
With a slender advantage, the Hammers came into this important clash away to AZ Alkmaar. The game seemed poised to end in a goalless draw before midfielder Pablo Fornals popped up with a late winner. The scoreline indicated a solid aggregate win for West Ham, which was later mired by fan violence incidents.
Danny knew 👀 pic.twitter.com/87ce7btuTH
— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 20, 2023
In the context of the season, despite still being close to the relegation zone than the top half, West Ham might end up playing Europa League next season if they beat Fiorentina in the UEFA Europa Conference League Final. However, now, Moyes will switch his attention to league matters as West Ham hope to secure a win and move mathematically clear of the relegation threat.
While the Hammers seem virtually secure from relegation, the same cannot be said about Leeds United. Sam Allardyce was able to conjure a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United last weekend, which may give them some advantage over their rivals. Despite the point, the Whites remained part of the bottom three and one of the favourites to go down at the end of the season.
While the point against Newcastle was a shot in the arm for Leeds, they need to back it up with a stunning result against the Hammers. They will then have to play Tottenham on the season’s final day, with the north Londoners possibly scrambling for a European spot.
Leeds remain a point behind Everton and three adrift of Nottingham Forest. A win over West Ham will leave Leeds with a great chance to escape relegation and possibly take matters into the final matchday of the season if their relegation rivals were to lose.
Team News & Tactics
West Ham United
As things stand, West Ham United have no fresh injury concerns after the midweek AZ Alkmaar game. The Hammers will look to field a strong lineup for the two remaining games, as David Moyes will be keen to hammer out their mathematical safety against Leeds United.
"We have to get ourselves ready again"
Attentions shift back to the Premier League 👊#WHUFC | #TalkingPoint with @LycamobileUK pic.twitter.com/6dvpoxpalw
— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 19, 2023
Moyes might rest Kurt Zouma at the back and install Angelo Ogbonna besides Nayef Aguerd to keep some of his key players fit and ready for the next weeks. Besides that, the team may seem unchanged.
Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek will keep their midfield berths, but Moyes could return to a double pivot. Lucas Paqueta could move into his advanced role, with Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen on either side of the Brazilian. Michail Antonio could again lead the line as the Hammers look for goals.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Kehrer, Aguerd, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio
Leeds United
Sam Allardyce has problems with his squad, as at least four players are confirmed to sit out on this trip to London. Junior Firpo’s red card against Newcastle will keep him out of this game, while Stuart Dallas, Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra remain out of action with injuries.
🎙 Sam Allardyce chats to the press ahead of Sunday's West Ham clash https://t.co/vEGCg95igZ
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 19, 2023
Marc Roca and Liam Cooper are significant doubts about this clash, but the midfielder might return if he proves his fitness. As for Cooper, Sam Allardyce has plenty of replacement options and may not risk the defender for this clash. Robin Koch and Maximilian Wober should form a central defensive partnership.
Pascal Struijk should replace Firpo at left-back, while Luke Ayling should continue on the other flank. While Leeds have reportedly decided against signing Weston McKennie permanently, the American will still form a part of the team to take on West Ham United and partner Roca in midfield.
Jack Harrison and Crysencio Summerville will provide the width, while Wilfried Knonto and Patrick Bamford will lead the lineup front. Leeds does have the option of bringing in Rodrigo. But Allardyce will resist the temptation and keep the Spaniard an option off the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Robles; Ayling, Koch, Wober, Struijk; Harrison, McKennie, Roca, Summerville; Gnonto, Bamford
Key Stats
- West Ham United have scored at least two goals in their last six matches against Leeds in all competitions.
- West Ham United have won two of their last seven games in the Premier League.
- Leeds have conceded at least two goals in six of their last seven matches in the Premier League.
- Only Southampton have won fewer games in the Premier League this season than Leeds.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 10 of Leeds’s last 11 games in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
Declan Rice
Oh what a night ❤️ pic.twitter.com/eLbrt8dmWi
— Declan Rice (@_DeclanRice) May 18, 2023
The talismanic West Ham captain can still finish the season strongly, although he has had a wonderful campaign personally. There’s a bit of momentum in London, and Rice has played a big part in this transformation. The England star will not look to take the peddle off the gas for now and go on until the European Final.
Against Leeds, Rice will have to play a major role in controlling the game’s tempo. He will brush aside the rumours linking with a move to Arsenal and only focus on such matters once the season ends. On Sunday, he will aim to steer his team clear of any threat of relegation and then focus on the Prague final.
Prediction
West Ham United 2-1 Leeds United
Leeds United have shown they can perform well against the staunchest of opponents, and West Ham United have the momentum to call themselves that. While Sam Allardyce will take confidence from their performance against Newcastle United last weekend, the Hammers’ challenge is very different.
Considering many factors and momentum, West Ham may have the edge and could nick Leeds by a slender margin. Allardyce’s men are under tremendous pressure to get a result or become favourites to go down at the end of the campaign, possibly this weekend itself. The Hard Tackle predicts West Ham to clinch a 2-1 win over Leeds on Sunday.
