West Ham vs Leeds Preview & Prediction | 2022-23 English Premier League
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THE FACTS
When is West Ham vs Leeds on and what time does it start? West Ham vs Leeds will take place on Sunday 21st May, 2023 – 13:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for West Ham vs Leeds? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is West Ham vs Leeds on in the UK? Television rights for the Premier League in the UK are shared between Sky Sports, BT Sport and Amazon Prime so it is worth checking their schedules for West Ham vs Leeds
Where can I stream West Ham vs Leeds in the UK? If West Ham vs Leeds is televised, then it can be streamed on either Sky Go, BT Sport Player or Amazon Prime Video depending on who is broadcasting the match
THE LOWDOWN
WEST HAM
It is clear that all of West Ham's focus right now is on Europe, with their progression to the Europa Conference League final papering over the cracks of their underwhelming Premier League campaign to an extent. They can, however, rise a few places and achieve a more respectable finish with a strong end to the season.
They were fully deserving of their victory over Dutch side AZ over both legs but their last league game saw a heavily-rotated side fall to a limp 2-0 defeat at the hands of Brentford. Their last home game in the Premier League saw them record a surprise win over Man Utd though, and they are clearly capable of playing to a high level should the pieces fall together.
LEEDS
The Leeds players are clearly buying into Sam Allardyce's methods as they have showed plenty of fight in the two games they have contested since he took charge, particularly in the 2-2 draw with Champions League-chasing Newcastle last Saturday.
The Lilywhites started with real purpose against Newcastle with an early Luke Ayling goal raising the roof at Elland Road, but defensive mistakes cost them as they fell behind to two Callum Wilson penalties. They did not let up though, and their 79th-minute equaliser came from the unlikely source of Rasmus Kristensen. They were left somewhat disappointed with the point for their efforts though, and this visit of West Ham is essentially a must-win fixture for Big Sam and co.
THE TEAM NEWS
WEST HAM
Moyes indicated that a couple of players sustained knocks against AZ on Thursday but we are in the dark as to who those players are so Gianluca Scamacca is the only known absentee. With West Ham essentially safe from relegation, Moyes will be tempted to field a largely second-string side here in order to give his Thursday heroes a breather. However, he will be under some pressure to select a strong XI given that he faces one the relegation-threatened teams.
We could therefore see a slightly stronger side take to the field than that which lost to Brentford, then, partly for integrity reasons.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Johnson, Aguerd, Ogbonna, Emerson; Rice, Downes; Bowen, Lanzini, Benrahma; Ings
UNAVAILABLE: Scamacca (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LEEDS
Junio Firpo's dismissal against Newcastle sees him miss out through suspension here, with Pascal Struijk looking like an obvious replacement at left-back. Club captain Liam Cooper has returned to training though, and could make a return to the matchday squad. Further up the pitch, Marc Roca is dealing with a patella tendon issue at the moment, and his potential absence could see Allardyce retain the 4-3-3 system he adopted last weekend. Sam Greenwood was something of a surprise starter in midfield, but being hauled off at half-time does dampen his starting prospects here. Adam Forshaw, Greenwood's replacement, could be preferred.
For a team on the verge of relegation, Leeds have plenty of attacking options for Big Sam to ponder, although he is likely to keep faith with Patrick Bamford in the central role despite the striker's missed penalty against Newcastle. Wilfried Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson and Crysencio Summerville are alternative options in the front three should changes be made.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Robles; Ayling, Kristensen, Wober, Struijk; McKennie, Koch, Forshaw; Rodrigo, Bamford, Harrison
UNAVAILABLE: Dallas (Injured), Firpo (Suspended), Adams (Injured), Sinisterra (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Cooper (Fitness), Roca (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
With West Ham now all but safe, not to mention carrying some fatigue after their Europa Conference League heroics on Thursday evening, the ingredients are there for Leeds to snatch three points and significantly boost their Premier League survival prospects. Their away form leaves much to be desired with just one win from their last 12 away trips in the league, but it is now or never for the West Yorkshire club, and they have shown enough dedication to the cause in recent weeks to lead us towards tipping an away victory here, against what could be an under-strength West Ham side.
TIP: LEEDS TO WIN
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