West Ham United vs Leeds United
Leeds United will look to move up in the Premier League table as they take on West Ham United at the London Stadium.
The last few weeks haven’t been kind to the Whites as they’ve lost three of their last four league games, which is why they will come in here hungry for a victory against the Hammers.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side is currently 11th at the table and a win here can push them up into the upper half in the English top-flight.
They are hopeful to catch the hosts off guard as West Ham United are also fresh from a defeat last weekend.
David Moyes’ men saw their unbeaten run snapped by Manchester City and they too are eager to get back to winning ways. The Hammers are at sixth place with 45 points.
The Premier League 2021 odds point to a victory by the hosts especially with what happened in their reverse fixture.
Second half goals fueled West Ham United’s earlier win over Leeds United, and the latter are hopeful for a much better showing in order to get their revenge.
Read on below as SBOTOP examines both of these clubs.
Talking points
West Ham United have a gem in Jesse Lingard
David Moyes hit the jackpot when they brought over Jesse Lingard via loan, as the speedy winger gave the Hammers another attacking threat.
Jesse Lingard was quick to adapt to Moyes’ system by forming a lethal attacking combo alongside Pablo Fornals and Michail Antonio to create numerous Premier League 2021 highlights.
In his short tenure so far with West Ham United, Lingard has already been shortlisted to two Premier League awards for the month of February as he was nominated for the EA Sports Premier League Player of the Month and PFA Bristol Street Motors Fans’ Player of the Month awards.
Whether he wins the awards or not, it is still an encouraging sign for him and the Hammers as they to continue to exceed our expectations.
West Ham United were on a roll prior to last weekend, but they were eventually humbled by a rampant Manchester City squad.
Despite the loss, the Hammers did enough to show that there is substance behind their push to a Champions League spot by the end of this term.
Jesse Lingard had an indirect effect to their only goal of the night as his powerful shot that was blocked by John Stones turned into a goal from Michail Antonio.
West Ham United will come into this match as the heavy favourites especially with Lingard on board, but can Leeds United prove us otherwise?
Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo’s returns should boost Leeds United
Marcelo Bielsa will be praying for a clean bill of health from Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo ahead of Monday night.
Phillips (calf) and Rodrigo (groin) have missed significant time due to injuries, but they have ramped up their fitness when they played for Leeds’ U-23 squad against the Wolves last Friday.
Their returns would surely help the Whites in a big way as the injury bug hasn’t spared them at all.
Leeds have already been without Adam Forshaw (hip) and Gaetano Berardi (knee) this season due to major injuries, while summer signing Robin Koch is still working his way back from a knee surgery.
Pascal Struijk was forced off in their last home loss versus Aston Villa, while Ian Poveda (ankle) and Jamie Shackleton (groin) are considered doubtful to participate in this match.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side may be undermanned for this contest, but don’t expect the Whites to fold that easily.
History
Since this is Leeds United’s first season back in the English top-flight, league fixtures between them and West Ham United have been few. Prior to this game, the Whites and the Hammers have faced off 21 times.
Leeds United are the superior club in the overall head-to-heads with 14 wins, whereas West Ham United have won only thrice along with four draws.
In their December meeting at Elland Road, David Moyes’ side came away with a 2-1 victory after overturning an early deficit.
Mateusz Klich drew first blood via a penalty kick to which David Moyes clearly disagreed, but Tomas Soucek and Angelo Ogbonna completed the Hammers’ comeback trail.
David Moyes-mentored clubs are undefeated in five games against Leeds United with four wins and one draw. He has faced the Whites more without suffering defeat than any other sides in the competition.
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