Leeds United will try to pile more misery when they host West Ham United on Wednesday in the Premier League.
West Ham United will try to end their winless streak when they visit Elland Road, where a jubilant Leeds United will be waiting for them. The Hammers have not had it easy this term, and they are hovering very close to the relegation zone.
Leeds, too, have not been convincing in their last few outings but have managed to stay clear of the relegation zone so far. They have been unlucky on some occasions. But their near-perfect display against Newcastle United in the last match will boost their confidence before this match-up.
Leeds wasted a number of gilt-edged chances against Newcastle. But a comfortable outing at their home could set the tone for the remainder of the season. The Whites do have a game in hand but cannot bask in glory much as they are too not very far from the bottom three.
West Ham are yet to find solace in their Premier League form as the London giants have not really hit the right chord. They are nowhere near their form from last season. And David Moyes has very little time to justify his role at the London Stadium.
A five-game losing streak does not get any worse for the UEFA Europa Conference League participants, as they are searching for the right formula in an order to register a win. Moyes will be given the freedom to bring in reinforcements but before that, he will have to survive the Leeds acid test.
Team News & Tactics
Leeds United
Tyler Adams is a menace 😅
(via @LUFC)pic.twitter.com/ZJgG7c1g7T
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 1, 2023
Jesse Marsch called off Adam Forshaw at half-time as he wanted to rotate his squad keeping in mind the pile-up of fixtures. Leeds United are still missing Archie Gray and Stuart Dallas. But Patrick Bamford is on the verge of returning to the pitch from his groin injury.
Illan Meslier gave a good account of himself against Newcastle United, and he will be the preferred choice in the Leeds goal. Liam Cooper and Robin Koch have been the reliable defensive pairing, and they will be up against a very inconsistent West Ham attack.
Luke Ayling should be replaced by Rasmus Kristensen on the right side of the Leeds defence, while Pascal Struijk will be on the other side. Marc Roca should link up with Tyler Adams in the middle of the pitch.
Brenden Aaronson should get it going from the no. 10 position, while Crysencio Summerville and William Gnonto will represent the flanks. Finally, Rodrigo will be the most advanced man upfront for Leeds against West Ham.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Cooper, Struijk; Roca, Adams; Summerville, Aaronson, Gnonto; Rodrigo
West Ham United
David Moyes was relieved to hand Gianluca Scamacca a full match to raise his fitness level. And the lanky Italian striker will be ready to test his mettle against the Leeds backline. Kurt Zouma and Maxwel Cornet are the only absentees, and Moyes will have a fully-fit squad to choose his starting lineup. Lukasz Fabianski will stand in the goal for the Hammers.
Nayef Aguerd could be handed a rare Premier League start, and he will have the assistance of Craig Dawson. Aaron Cresswell should move to the left flank, while Ben Johnson could replace Vladimir Coufal on the opposite wing.
Locked in for Leeds. 🔒 pic.twitter.com/HaL5GZwAmi
— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 3, 2023
The favourable pairing of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek will once again unite in the midfield. Lucas Paqueta will be pushed to a more advanced role, and he will be flanked by Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma. Gianluca Scamacca will lead the line against Leeds for West Ham.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Aguerd, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Scammaca
Key Stats
- Having lost just two of their first 20 Premier League meetings with West Ham United between 1993 and 2003 (W14 D4), Leeds United have lost three of their four against the Hammers since their return to the top-flight (W1).
- West Ham have won their last three away league games against Yorkshire sides (twice against Leeds United, once against Sheffield United). They last won four in a row in the county between 1938 and 1946 (against Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Bradford Park Avenue twice).
- Leeds have lost their last five Premier League matches against London clubs, despite taking the lead in three of those games (vs Crystal Palace, Fulham and Tottenham). This is Leeds’s worst league losing run against teams from the capital since between April 1957 and March 1958 (also five), while they have never lost six in a row in their league history.
- Leeds have conceded three goals in their last three home Premier League games, losing 3-2 to Fulham, winning 4-3 against Bournemouth and losing 3-1 to Manchester City. The Whites have not shipped 3+ goals in four consecutive home league games since October 1960.
- David Moyes has never lost away from home against Leeds United in the Premier League in four previous visits (W3 D1), the joint most of any manager without losing (also John Gregory and Gerry Francis on four). Only Sir Alex Ferguson has ever won more away games at Elland Road in the Premier League (5) than Moyes (3).
Player to Watch
Gianluca Scamacca
The return of Scamacca could pose a serious threat to Leeds’s ambitions. The 24-year-old may not have had the desired effect since joining West Ham United. But he will be dangerous if given a chance, and Moyes will be betting big on him on Wednesday.
Prediction
Leeds United 1-1 West Ham United
Both teams are yet to indulge in the relegation catfight. But any slip-up will dampen their survival hopes. There will be a cautious measure in place from both sets of players. And The Hard Tackle is predicting an entertaining 1-1 draw for the clash between Leeds and West Ham.
