Key events
Kick-off! West Ham 0-0 Leeds
Can Leeds bag some valuable points? Or will West Ham deal them another blow to their survival hopes? We will find out soon.
The players are out and Declan Rice leads West Ham carrying his son. Just a few minutes to go now!
David Crowther has emailed to get in on the snack chat and it’s an interesting choice: “I’ve just ‘enjoyed’ a corned beef sandwich with mustard and jalapeños. I’ll let you know when and if my eyeballs return.”
When the reverse fixture was played between West Ham and Leeds it ended in a 2-2 draw. It was a close encounter with the score 1-1 at half-time, fans can expect more of the same this afternoon.
Ezra has emailed and said: “As a Leeds United fan and tragic, I can guarantee all the neutrals that there will be goals, and plenty of them.” I’m guessing you mean West Ham goals? I’m hoping for a close encounter as the reverse fixture was earlier this season…
Eric Peterson has got in touch via email and said: “This Toffee spent a few of this past overnight’s sleepless moments pondering David Moyes’ achievements in the service of Everton Football Club. A win today over the Damned United would be a worthy addition to that list, regardless of the club logo at the top of the sheet of paper upon which is written the terms of his current contract.” I can’t imagine Moyes helping Everton stay up is on his mind but there is not doubt about the facts, if West Ham win today it does help Everton slightly – they could still be relegated on the final day of the season regardless of today’s result.
A special day for Declan Rice as six years ago he made his West Ham senior debut. Today could be his last game at the London Stadium with rumours he is heading to Arsenal in the summer.
If you want to catch up on West Ham’s semi-final win to reach the Europa Conference League final, have a read of the report:
If you have read one of my blogs before you’ll know I love a bit of snack chat. I am on the crisps today, specifically wheat crunchies, let me know what you’ve gone for via email or Twitter. You can also let me know your thoughts on the relegation battle.
It is also a crucial weekend in the Women’s Super League. If Chelsea defeat Arsenal and Manchester United lose to Manchester City, Chelsea will secure the WSL for the fourth successive season. Chelsea are currently leading Arsenal 1-0 after kicking off at 12.30. At the other end of the table, if Leicester City win today then Reading will be relegated. Have a read of what this weekend means:
Leeds manager Sam Allardyce said ahead of the game: “We have to deliver a three-point scenario to try to save our Premier League status. [We need to] fight to the end, but fight with the right temperament and have the right amount of control – and certainly don’t lose the game plan.”
Moyes has also said: “We’ve maybe not had the season we all hoped for but we always wanted to have a good run in one of the cup competitions and if you chose one to go well in it would certainly be this one. We’ve adapted as best we can without Mark [Noble]. He’s a big miss. We are seeing some players step up but we are also seeing some who we think can do more. We will look to improve it again next season. It’s very difficult to get a replacement on Mark Noble, that is something that’s very hard.”
On Sky Sports just now West Ham manager David Moyes said if someone had given them this table position, where they are safe from relegation, a few weeks ago he would have “shaken your hand and said thank you very much”.
The winner of the 22/23 Premier League trophy was confirmed yesterday as Arsenal lost to Nottingham Forest, handing the crown to Manchester City. It is the third time in a row Pep Guardiola’s side have won the domestic title. Have a read of how City’s players fared this campaign:
So how does it look at the bottom of the table? Everton are 17th after 37 games with 33 points and a goal difference of -25, Leeds are 18th after 36 games with 31 points and a goal difference of -24 and Leicester City are 19th after 36 games with 30 points and a goal difference of -18. Southampton are 20th and have had relegation already confirmed.
The team news is here! West Ham have made six changes to their starting 11 who won their Europa Conference League semi-final. Areola, Kehrer, Aguerd, Cresswell, Benrahma and Antonio all drop out of the team.
West Ham: Fabianski, Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna, Emerson, Soucek, Rice, Bowen, Paqueta, Fornals, Ings
Subs: Areola, Antonio, Benrahma, Cornet, Cresswell, Mubama, Johnson, Kehrer, Lanzini
Leeds, meanwhile, have made two changes from their 2-2 draw with Newcastle last weekend. Firpo and Greenwood are out with Struijk and Forshaw coming in.
Leeds: Robles, Ayling, Kristensen, Struijk, Wober, Koch, Forshaw, McKennie, Harrison, Rodrigo, Bamford.
Subs: Meslier, Cooper, Mullen, Roca, Greenwood, Summerville, Aaronson, Georgino, Gnoto
Preamble
Hello and welcome to West Ham v Leeds which could have ramifications for the Premier League relegation battle. Nottingham Forest secured their spot in the top flight yesterday which means three teams are fighting for the last safety spot: Leeds, Everton and Leicester City.
Leeds are currently in the relegation zone but they are just two points and two goals (for goal difference) from safety. A win over West Ham this afternoon would get them out of the red zone for now ahead of the final Premier League round next weekend. A win would not secure safety for the club though.
Leeds will have to overcome West Ham, who are heading into this match after securing a spot in the Europa Conference League final. The Hammers also have home advantage at the London Stadium and so while David Moyes’ league form has not been on the money this season – they are only six points ahead of Leeds – they will be favourites to come away with the win.
But thoughts come in from last season where Leeds were facing the drop and they managed to rescue themselves in the nick of time. It will be a tense encounter and one that should have fans on the edge of their seats. Team news will be out shortly so stay tuned for updates ahead of kick-off at 1.30pm BST.
