West Ham face Leeds in the Premier League on Sunday at the London Stadium, and the stakes could hardly be higher.
West Ham hope for miracle when Leeds visit
West Ham go into the final day of the Premier League season knowing that only one thing will do: victory. Only then will they have a realistic chance of avoiding relegation when they host Leeds at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Read: While Tottenham ponder whether to sign Mason Greenwood, another club signs up
The Hammers are two points behind Tottenham going into the final round. To survive, they don’t just need to win themselves – they also need Spurs to lose to Everton.
Nuno Espírito Santos’ men are under enormous pressure. Three straight league losses mean that the club’s future in good company hangs by a thread before the last afternoon of the season.
Another defeat would condemn West Ham to their third Premier League relegation – after previous lows in 2002–03 and 2010–11.
Home strength gives hope
Despite the problems of the last few weeks, there is still reason for optimism for the hosts. They can console themselves with a solid home record on the last day of the season.
West Ham have lost just one of their last 19 home games in the league – winning 11 of them.
Leeds in red-hot form
Leeds arrive in East London with little to play for in terms of the table. But Daniel Farke’s team is in brilliant form – in fact, in the middle of its best period this season.
The Whites are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games and have played their way safely out of the relegation battle at the end of the season.
Earlier this season, Leeds secured a 2-1 win over West Ham at Elland Road. Now they are chasing their first league double over the London side since the 2002-03 season – the same year West Ham were relegated, despite amassing 42 points.
Team News: West Ham vs. Leeds
West Ham are still uncertain about Adama Traoré, who has missed the club’s last two games.
Jarrod Bowen is expected to lead the team as captain – again – alongside strikers Crysencio Summerville and Valentín Castellanos.
Leeds have several physical challenges ahead of the weekend:
Noah Okafor, Jayden Bogle, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Brenden Aaronson and Facundo Buonanotte are all doubtful.
Ilia Gruev, Pascal Struijk and Anton Stach are definitely out with injuries.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to continue as a lone striker up top for the visitors.
Predicted starting line-ups
West Ham: Areola – Diouf, Disasi, Mavropanos, Wan-Bissaka – Potts, Magassa, Fernandes – Summerville, Bowen, Castellanos
Leeds United: Darlow – Justin, Bijol, Rodon, Bornauw – Tanaka, Ampadu, Longstaff – Gnonto, James, Calvert-Lewin
Key pre-match stats
- West Ham have lost their last three Premier League games
- Leeds are unbeaten in their last eight league games
- West Ham have lost just one of their last 19 home games in the league
- Leeds can complete a league double over West Ham for the first time since 2002-03
- Jarrod Bowen has assisted eight of West Ham’s last twelve Premier League goals
Prediction: West Ham vs. Leeds
West Ham’s desperate situation could make this an open and intense game. But Leeds are coming in much stronger form and seem destined to frustrate the hosts.
Still: The Hammers may find a way to keep the pressure on Tottenham all the way into the final minutes of the very last day.
Divination: West Ham 2–1 Leeds
Read on Popidol: Netflix confirms the ending of Emily in Paris – ends with season 6
