England Premier League
Sunday 21st May 2023
Kick off at 1:30pm BST
Venue: London Stadium
Match Preview:
West Ham are safe because even if Leeds caught them up their goal difference is too inferior and that means that the Hammers can breathe a sigh of relief, it also means that manager David Moyes may make some changes to his team.
Recent form for the Hammers has been poor with 4 defeats from their last five but while fans will be concerned over the long term future of Moyes in a sense they won’t care a jot because safety has been secured. A great European run aside this has been a poor season for the club and certainly a step backwards. Home form has been a real mixed bag for West Ham with 7 wins but also seven defeats and just one in their last four outings, so while we know that the club can play good football there are still some serious question marks over them.
For Leeds it’s win or bust especially if Everton beat Wolves, then that would be it for the club unless they win or draw here, but Leeds need to start earning three points. Sam Allardyce has been vocal and certainly in their play Leeds have looked more impactful and playing with passion but his first game in charge still ended in defeat albeit a narrow 2-1 result against Manchester City. The second game finished 2-2 against Newcastle and in fairness those were two very hard first games for Allardyce. Leeds are just a point from safety but it feels like a big one and away games are never easy especially for a team who have won just twice on the road this season. Indeed Leeds have the 2nd to worst away record in the Premier League with just 9 points won from a possible 54, and that includes 4 losses in a row. It’s been two months since Leeds last won on the road and that came against Wolves.
Team News:
West Ham: Michail Antonio has a slight knock and will be assessed. Vladimir Coufal is just 50/50 to make this game due to a hamstring injury. Gianluca Scamacca is sidelined with a knee injury.
Leeds: Junior Firpo is suspended for his sending off last weekend. Liam Cooper is 50/50 to make this one because of a recent glute injury. Luis Sinisterra and Tyler Roberts are out for the season.
West Ham vs Leeds Head to Head:
Last season West Ham lost this fixture 3-2.
Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture the teams drew 2-2.
There is an 80% chance to see both teams to score.
West Ham vs Leeds Prediction:
At the time of writing West Ham are yet to play their Europa Conference League semi final 2nd leg against AZ Alkmaar and one would believe that the game would have quite a bearing on this one. Win and the Hammers have made it to their first European final in almost 50 years and have something to play for at the end of the season. That could well mean that Moyes will rest some key players and may not look 100%, at the same time of course they are professionals and they will want to give the fans quite a send off being that this is their final home game of the season. However if they lose in the semi final how do these players turn up for this one, certainly not with all smiles. Psychology in football can make or break a team's spirit and perhaps we will see that unfold in this crucial game at least for the away side.
Allardyce is being paid £125,000 a game and could get a £2.5m bonus for keeping Leeds up and he is certainly firing the players up, they are showing no fear. However Allardyce’s teams are famed for shoring up the defence and yet Leeds have still shipped four goals in his two games in charge. We’re not quite sure if the Hammers will be at the races by this weekend and there is only one club who are going to be hungry for this win, they won here last season and they have a great motivator on the sidelines, that may go a long way. Keep an eye on Jack Harrison, true he has struggled this season but he is superb value to score and he did get a hat trick in this fixture last season.
West Ham vs Leeds Betting Tips:
Draw no bet (Leeds) at 1.94
Anytime goalscorer: Jack Harrison 5.00
Both teams to score at 1.67
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