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Leeds United – West Ham United
The new year has opened its doors. 2023 is finally here and shining in all its glory. Many people take on many resolutions in the new year. And if one of your resolutions is to watch more football, the Premier League has got you covered. The ball has been rolling again in the English top flight since Boxing Day. And in the first week of January, the 19th matchday is already on the schedule. On Wednesday evening, a basement duel will take place at Elland Road in Leeds. Leeds United will then welcome West Ham United.
Leeds started well into the season, picking up seven points from their first three league games. However, the form curve of the Whites showed a steep downward trend after that. Coach Jesse Marsch’s team only managed two wins after that. With 16 points, Leeds are currently 14th in the table and two points clear of a relegation place. On New Year’s Eve, however, Leeds held third-placed Newcastle to a 0-0 draw.
West Ham are having a disastrous season in the league. The team from East London just can’t find the way into the opponent’s goal and is currently 17th in the table. With only 14 points on their account, West Ham are level on points with Nottingham Forest in the first relegation place. Find out who will win the basement duel on Wednesday in our Leeds vs West Ham betting tips.
Leeds – West Ham info:
– Date & Time: 04.01.2023, 20:45 Uhr
– Venue: Elland Road, Leeds
– Competition: Premier League, Matchday 19
– TV coverage: Sky
Leeds Form & Balance Check
Leeds United fans will not be unhappy as they review their last few games before the World Cup break. Especially after the two wins against Bournemouth and the great Liverpool FC, the fans were in an exceptional mood. And after the break, Leeds also managed to do remarkably well.
The team of coach Jesse Marsch did not stand a chance against the second-placed Manchester team, but against the third-placed Newcastle United, Leeds United at least managed a draw. Nevertheless, the Whites’ season is not going ideally. Leeds have only managed four wins so far. With 16 points, LUFC are currently 14th in the table and two points clear of the relegation zone.
Meslier shows his class
The Whites’ attack, however, has been on point for the most part this season. 23 goals have already been scored by Leeds United in their first 16 Premier League games. That is more goals than Chelsea, for example, and only one less than Manchester United. Rodrigo is Leeds’ top scorer with nine goals and is slowly finding his old Valencia form again.
In goal, Illan Meslier also showed recently why he is considered one of the greatest goalkeeping talents in the entire world. The 22-year-old brought the Newcastle attackers to despair by the dozen in the last game. Newcastle had a total of 16 shots, nine on goal and an xG rating of 2.18 at the end of the game. However, the Magpies failed to score as Meslier produced an incredible performance.
Leeds facts & analysis
– Leeds are currently 14th in the table.
– Last played 0-0 against Newcastle
– Three games in a row without a win
West Ham Form & Balance Check
West Ham United was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and has played under the name West Ham United since 1904. Since moving to the former Olympic Stadium, the club has gone from strength to strength of late. In the last two years, the team of coach David Moyes finished the seasons in sixth and seventh place and thus secured participation in the European business two years in a row. And in the Europa Conference League, West Ham have won all their games so far and qualified for the last 16.
In the league, however, the Irons have so far fallen well short of expectations. After 17 games, the Hammers are in 17th place in the table with only 14 points. At this time last season, the East Londoners were on twice as many points and thus held a place in the Europa League. Last Friday, West Ham lost 2-0 at home to Brentford, meaning the east London club have now lost their last five Premier League games.
No offensive urgency
There is still plenty of room for improvement on the offensive end for manager David Moyes’ side. Only 13 goals have been scored by the Irons so far this year. There are only two teams who have scored even fewer goals in the Premier League. Saïd Benrahma, who has only scored three league goals, is West Ham’s top scorer this year. The high-profile additions to the attack, in particular, have yet to hit the ground running. Gianluca Scamacca, Maxwel Cornet and Lucas Paquetá have combined for just two goals and two assists in the league.
West Ham facts & analysis
– 17th with 14 points.
– Last lost 0:2 against Brentford
– Lost five games in a row
Predicted line-up – last update on 3 January 2023
Leeds United will field an attacking 4-2-3-1 in the upcoming fixture. Meslier will again be the solid back up for Leeds. Rodrigo is again expected to provide a scoring threat up front. Stuart Dallas will not be available due to injury. In addition, Bamford, Sinisterra and Gray are also injured.
Coach David Moyes recently played a 3-4-2-1 system. We think that West Ham will play that way in this match as well. Not all players are available for the Irons. Zouma, Cornet and Aguerd are likely to miss the game through injury.
Leeds – West Ham Direct comparison & Statistics
Both teams have faced each other in 75 competitive matches so far. Leeds won 37 of them, West Ham 16 games and in addition there are 22 draws. Leeds also retained the upper hand in the last match. Last January, the Whites won 3:2 at the London Stadium.
– Both teams are separated by two points in the league.
– Leeds have conceded one goal in 12 of their last 13 matches.
– West Ham have failed to score in four of their eight away games in the Premier League this season
– Leeds have lost four of their last five games against West Ham
