West Ham United will be looking to end their run of five straight Premier League defeats against Leeds United tonight (Wednesday).
David Moyes' side are hovering just outside the relegation zone on goal difference and the Scottish coach has had to answer questions surrounding his future in recent pre and post-match press conferences.
On the other side of the Elland Road pitch on Wednesday will be Leeds United, who the Hammers can leapfrog with a win. Speaking ahead of the game, football.london spoke to Will Jackson from Leeds Live about the season so far, how Leeds will line-up and his score prediction.
READ MORE: David Gold tributes: Live updates after West Ham joint-chairman dies at the age of 86
How have Leeds United performed this season, does their current league position give a fair reflection of where they should be?
Inconsistent is probably the word that best sums up Leeds at present. They’re capable of beating any team in the competition on their day, just ask Chelsea and Liverpool, but those days have been few and far between. They’ve regularly underwhelmed against those in and around them in the Premier League table and that’s exactly why they sit just three points above the drop zone.
Given Leeds have returned to action with games against Man City and Newcastle United, it’s tough to get an accurate read on the shape they’re in following the World Cup break. As such, while getting points on the board are a necessity against West Ham, Marsch and supporters will be keen to gauge where the Whites are at now the New Year is here and games are coming thick and fast.
There was quite a large squad overhaul in the summer, has that gone to plan?
Losing Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha was always going to provide a challenge, but you’d have to say the recruits Leeds have brought in have fared well. Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson have been the standouts, with the American pair playing pivotal roles in Marsch’s system.
Luis Sinisterra has looked strong, too, but he has struggled for game time due to injury and suspension. Rasmus Kristensen and Marc Roca have had their moments of success and they’ll be involved against the Hammers, no doubt.
It’s worth saying there’s still plenty of work for Leeds’ recruitment team to do, though, and having bagged Max Wober from Red Bull Salzburg earlier this week, they’ll be looking to make one or two more additions in the coming weeks.
Have Leeds made Elland Road a tough place to go this season?
Marsch has tried to harness the power of Leeds’ home support and the intensive pressing game he encourages from his side seems to play into that. It can be a real test of character and teams have crumbled at Elland Road this season when the crowd has been up, driving United on with gusto.
Bournemouth were leading 3-1 in West Yorkshire but they fell apart as soon as the Leeds support got a sniff of a comeback, while Chelsea failed to deal with the hostility from start to finish.
How are you expecting Leeds to line up? Are there any major injury concerns?
Leeds will be approaching this one with the same group of players that took on Newcastle on New Year’s Eve. I’d expect to see Kristensen come back into the starting XI and there could be a change or two further up the field with a fit-again Crysencio Summerville one player pushing to regain his spot.
What do you think Leeds’ best strengths are that West Ham should be wary of?
Leeds pride themselves on their intensity and aggression, forcing mistakes out of teams by hunting in packs and hitting them on the break. Leeds have dug out goals in that manner all season and West Ham will have to be level-headed and cool under pressure.
Tyler Adams has been a pest in the middle of the park all season and if West Ham are to get their midfield moving they must keep him at arm’s reach. Rodrigo has caught many off-guard with his form this season with nine goals coming before the break and he’s always a threat, too.
What is your score prediction for the game?
I’ll back Leeds to pick up a 2-1 win.
READ NEXT
- David Moyes lifts lid on Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta tactic ahead of Leeds United showdown
- David Moyes makes honest point on his West Ham future amid 'vote of confidence' admission
- Full West Ham squad available for Premier League tie against Leeds United with two absentees
- Every word West Ham’s David Moyes said on Leeds fixture, his future, Declan Rice and Mark Noble
David Moyes provides Kurt Zouma update and makes Nayef Aguerd hint ahead of Leeds United clash
