Leeds United are virtually safe after reaching 43 points with a win over Burnley on Friday night, and could look forward to one more season in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke has played down any talk of celebrations until the club’s safety is officially confirmed. Still, Leeds could secure their Premier League status even before they take on Tottenham next Monday night.
The Spurs game next week is likely to be consequential, as another win for the home team may be enough to ensure their safety. However, if Leeds get a result in north London, Tottenham would be in trouble again.
West Ham are looking like the team who are now expected to go down, and they have a hugely difficult game coming up against Arsenal at home next weekend.
Jamie Carragher admits West Ham are pinning the hopes of Leeds
The Hammers are in a precarious position after losing 3-0 against Brentford at the weekend. Jamie Carragher has taken stock of their situation, and it’s a grim reading.
He doesn’t see West Ham beating Arsenal at home next weekend. However, the former defender conceded that they could get a point.
However, Carragher insisted that West Ham’s hope lies in Leeds getting something against Tottenham on Monday night to keep Spurs in the mix.
He believes Tottenham could more or less guarantee survival if they beat Leeds. But West Ham’s chances lie in taking the race to the last day of the season, when they will host Farke’s side at the London Stadium.
Carragher said on Sky Sports: “Are they going to beat Arsenal? I find that difficult to believe.
“They almost need to hope that Leeds could go [Tottenham] there and get a point.
“Could they get a point at home against Arsenal? Yes.
“If they match Tottenham’s results, I then go to here [Tottenham against Chelsea and West Ham against Newcastle].
“Both tough games, and I know Chelsea were awful today, but can you imagine the motivation inside that club to send Tottenham down.
“That will be a tough game for Tottenham, away at Chelsea.
“But this situation here [Tottenham against Leeds, and West Ham against Arsenal] gives Tottenham a great opportunity to sort of almost put it to bed.
“West Ham have got to hope that they could get it to the last day.”
West Ham and Tottenham are looking at Leeds for a favour
If West Ham lose to Arsenal on Sunday, Leeds will already be mathematically safe before they even travel to Tottenham next Monday night.
That leaves Leeds in an interesting spot, with the potential to influence who ends up going down by the end of the season.
Whatever happens this weekend, West Ham will be hoping Leeds can do them a favour against Spurs next week as they battle to avoid relegation.
At the same time, Spurs will be watching closely on the final day at the London Stadium, where West Ham take on Leeds in what could turn out to be a crucial match.
Absolutely terrible Headline and total misunderstanding of the word ‘brutal’. Poor article.