West Ham look to continue their quest for Champions League qualification as they host Leeds United on Sunday in the Premier League
West Ham look to continue their quest for Champions League qualification as they host Leeds United on Sunday in the Premier League.
The Hammers are in fine form having just beaten Leeds in the FA Cup third round 2-0, while they defeated Norwich City in the league in their last fixture. Meanwhile the visitors earned a 3-1 victory at home to Burnley.
West Ham
The Hammers made it four wins from four in all competitions after defeating Norwich in their 2-0 victory, retaining their fourth-placed position with 37 points.
With the chance of making it three consecutive wins in the space of a week, David Moyes’ side will be looking to keep their top four challenge alive as Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United all still have games in hand to close the gap.
Jarrod Bowen’s impressive performance which saw a two-goal return against Norwich has seen him take his tally to a combined 18 goals and assists in all competitions this season as an England call-up beckons.
With Manchester United to follow their game against Leeds, David Moyes will want to ensure there’s breathing between their top four opponents ahead of the trip to Old Trafford with six points separating the two sides and Rangnick’s side having two games in hand.
Leeds
Bielsa’s side have created some distance between themselves and the relegation positions for now, with seven points keeping them away from 18th-placed Burnley – though the Clarets do have two games in hand.
With just one victory away from home this season in the Premier League and just four victories in 19 games so far, it will be a tough ask to defeat a West Ham side currently in fine form – particularly at home.
The Hammers have defeated Marcelo Bielsa’s side in each of their last four matches in all competitions, and with a number of injury concerns to contend with, it already looks to be an uphill task for Leeds.
Team news
Tomas Soucek missed the victory over Norwich due to testing positive for COVID-19 with Manuel Lanzini taking his spot and is expected to partner Declan Rice again.
Said Benrahma remains at the African Cup of Nations while Mark Noble and Angelo Ogbonna remain out through injury.
As for Leeds, Patrick Bamford is close to returning to the side though faces a late fitness test, while Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips, Joe Gelhardt and Jamie Shackleton all miss out through injury while Diego Llorente is suspended for the match.
West Ham vs Leeds – kick off at 2pm (UK time) on Sunday 16th January 2022
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