West Ham United FC vs Leeds United, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

West Ham United FC vs Leeds United Match Prediction & Analysis

West Ham achieved something in midweek that they hadn’t in almost 50 years, by reaching the final of the Europa Conference League.

It has taken a huge toll on West Ham’s league results this season, having to play an extra 14 games, but it means that David Moyes’ men can fight for silverware in a few weeks’ time.

Their league position is virtually assured too, with the club six points ahead of danger. In theory, Leeds could catch them with two wins, but that isn’t likely. The Hammers’ final game is against Leicester next weekend.

Leeds have shown a response under Sam Allardyce in the two games since he was parachuted into the role, but it’s still just a single point he has claimed so far.

With Everton facing a kinder run-in that the Whites, it could be that Leeds’ race is already over. A win here could change that, however.

TEAMS PREVIEW

West Ham United FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Will be elated after their European win in midweek

     Need just a point to be officially safe

Reasons to be fearful:

     Lost four of their last five in the league

     Will be fatigued after trip to Netherlands three days before

West Ham know that they are just a point away from securing their place in next season’s Premier League, although there is little chance of them slipping into the bottom three now.

Should they go on and win the Europa Conference League, and they have an excellent chance of doing so, it would justify their troubles in the league to an extent. They are the prime example of a club showing how difficult it is to compete on multiple fronts.

They have lost four of their last five in the league as a result, although that home win over Manchester United gave them some breathing space recently.

Can they add another home victory and seal the deal officially?

Star Man – Michail Antonio

Moyes is likely to change one or two players after their European exerts, although Antonio is key to way they play. His pace and power could cause havoc against Leeds’ defence.

Leeds United Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Earned a vital point against Newcastle last week

     A win here could lift them clear of the bottom three

Reasons to be fearful

     Have tougher fixtures than their relegation rivals

     Won just two away games this season

Leeds’ position is on a knife edge right now, and it’s likely that defeat here would spell disaster for Sam Allardyce and his players.

On the flip side, with Everton playing away at Wolves this weekend, a win for Leeds could send them shooting in 16th place, ahead of Nottingham Forest who play Arsenal too.

That’s got to be the motivation for the players here, who will have considered themselves unlucky not to collect a win against Newcastle last weekend.

They play Tottenham in their final game of the season and, although Spurs aren’t at their best right now, will present a tough challenge to their survival hopes.

Perhaps, against a tired West Ham team, this represents their best chance of victory.

Star Man – Rodrigo

Rodrigo has 14 goals this season, although most of those were scored in 2022. He would cement himself as a club legend if he could produce the goals to keep Leeds afloat this season.