Kick-off: 1945, 04/01/2023
Stadium: Elland Road
David Moyes knows the pressure is mounting after five straight Premier League defeats but the West Ham boss may settle for a draw at Leeds.
The Hammers are only above the drop zone on goal difference, but their hosts are hardly flying high with just two points more on the board.
We feel the value lies with 12/5 for an Elland Road stalemate as our first Leeds vs West Ham prediction.
Leeds United Odds
Leeds have had to endure their own sticky spells this season but will have taken plenty of heart from securing a share of the spoils at Newcastle.
The Whites were relieved to see the Magpies spurn a number of good chances, while Illan Meslier was able to deal with any attempts that were on target.
Jesse Marsch commented: “I think the point is valuable, but even more valuable is the clean sheet, for us. They have been, since I’ve been here, not easy to come by.
“We felt going into the World Cup break and then coming out of the pause, that we gave goals away too cheaply and we really wanted to try to do better with that.
“We talked about both the tactics of what that would mean and then also the mentality to do whatever it takes to defend your own goal.
“Second half, they decided to play very direct and then it becomes about momentum and energy and bending, but not breaking. In general, I thought we did that really well.”
With both teams needing to tighten things up at the back, this has all the makings of being a tight tussle.
Looking at the Leeds vs West Ham odds, we like 19/20 for under 2.5 goals.
Last Leeds line-up: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Struijk, Forshaw, Aaronson, Harrison, Adams, Gnonto, Rodrigo.
Marsch has no new injury worries but will still be without injured pair Patrick Bamford (groin) and Luis Sinisterra (foot). Crysencio Summerville and Marc Roca are among those pushing for recalls to the starting line-up.
West Ham United Odds
West Ham have done well in the Europa Conference League this term but the priority now is to stop the rot in the Premier League.
Picking up zero points out of a possible 15 has left them fourth from bottom and looking woefully short on confidence.
After a 2-0 home loss to Brentford, captain Declan Rice told the club website: “It’s frustrating because I know the quality we have got and I know the players we have got.
“The reality of it at the minute is that we are not doing well enough, we are letting ourselves and the manager down, and we are also letting the fans down.
“There’s no beating around the bush, we signed players in the summer and it’s up to us to be out there, pushing, driving, giving everything for the badge and giving everything for the fans.
“I’m out there trying as hard to do that, trying to keep the lads going. All the lads in there are trying to keep each other going too.”
The Hammers have drawn a blank up front in three of those defeats and have scored just four times in eight away matches this term.
They did grab late winners on their last two visits to this venue, though, and may again finish strong.
Let’s add 5/1 for Michail Antonio to score last in this game to our Leeds vs West Ham betting tips.
Last West Ham line-up: Fabianski, Cresswell, Dawson, Ogbonna, Coufal, Paqueta, Emerson, Rice, Scamacca, Bowen, Benrahma.
Moyes is hopeful Antonio will be fit despite suffering from illness. Kurt Zouma remains unavailable with a knee injury, but Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd is in contention to play following his return from the World Cup.
Additional stats
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