Preview: West Ham United vs Leeds United

Preview: West Ham United vs Leeds United

We look at Monday night's Premier League clash.

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side travel to face West Ham United at the London Stadium on Monday evening (8pm).

The Hammers are currently one of the top teams in the division, as they seek to finish in the European places. Champions League football next term is a real possibility for Davies Moyes’ side, who have a 50% win ratio in the Premier League this season. 

A win for the Hammers could see them move back into the top four, but with positional rivals Everton and Chelsea playing one another, they will just be looking to gain ground on one of those two teams. A draw would take them back above Tottenham, into sixth.

For the Whites, an opportunity to progress further towards a place in the top 10 is at stake. Arsenal occupy 10th spot and are only three points ahead, but the superior goal difference for the Gunners means it is unlikely to be this weekend that Leeds could go ahead of them. 

West Ham have only beaten Leeds at home on two occasions since 1982. An overall head to head record which is weighted heavily in favour of the Whites, will give Bielsa’s side hope of breaking the long run without a win in the capital which was a 3-1 success at QPR in December, 2017.  

This will however be the first meeting between the club’s at the London Stadium. Leeds haven’t travelled to the Hammers since 2011, a game which ended in a dramatic 90th minute equaliser from Adam Clayton at Upton Park. 

Home advantage has been tough to come by across the league this season, but West Ham have certainly shown they can break that trend. They are second in the table for results at home, having only lost three times from 13, winning seven and drawing three. 

Leeds have been strong on the road so far, winning six out of their 13 games. In those encounters they have not drawn a single match, showing once again the attacking intent on display. 

There are many attack-minded players to keep an eye on for the hosts. The goals have been shared around the squad, but Tomas Soucek (8) and Michail Antonio (7) are leading the pack. With assists, Aaron Cresswell (7) and Said Benrahma (4) will be the supply chain to cut off, amongst other options. 

 

Manager/head coach

West Ham: David Moyes

Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa

 

League position 

West Ham: 7th

Leeds: 11th

 

Premier League form

West Ham: WDWWL

Leeds: WLLWL

 

Premier League top scorer

West Ham: Tomas Soucek (8)

Leeds: Patrick Bamford (13)

 

Head to head

West Ham: 28

Draws:  29

Leeds: 48

 

Last time at the London Stadium

This will be the first meeting!

 

However, the last time at Upton Park…

21st August 2011

Championship

West Ham United 2 (C. Cole 6’, Kisnorbo og 61’)

Leeds United 2 (McCormack 59’, Clayton 90’)

 

Team news

West Ham’s number one ‘keeper Lukasz Fabianski has been out lately with an elbow injury, but could return on Monday night. Arthur Masuaku is a long-term absentee and will be missing along with Angelo Ogbonna and Andriy Yarmolenko. 

For the Whites, Rodrigo, Gaetano Berardi and Ian Poveda all played 45 minutes in the U23s victory on Friday against Wolves as they look to return to first team action. Kalvin Phillips, Robin Koch, Jamie Shackleton and Adam Forshaw are all continuing treatment as they look to return. 

 

Officials

Referee - Mike Dean

Assistant Referee 1 - Darren Cann

Assistant Referee 2 - Derek Eaton

Fourth Official - Graham Scott

Video Assistant Referee - Andre Marriner

 

The key battle

Declan Rice vs Mateusz Klich

England international Declan Rice was impressive in the victory at Elland Road for the Hammers, back in December. Not only did he shield his defence well but he was also an instigator in attacking phases for his side. 

Klich is likely to be directly up against Rice in the midfield battle on Monday evening. The Leeds midfielder did score from the penalty spot last time they met and he will be looking to find space to net again, or assist a teammate at the London Stadium. 

 

Latest odds

West Ham: 11/10

Draw: 13/5

Leeds: 23/10

 

How to watch

The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports, with live commentary on LUTV. 

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