Leeds United have an early bottom of the table clash as they face West Ham on Friday night. It will be a very important fixture for both teams considering their run of form heading into this weekend.
The Whites have one win in their last five, and will be hoping to bounce back from their shocking defeat to Burnley last weekend. Despite creating four big chances worth 2.63 expected goals, Daniel Farke’s side still lost. West Ham are not in great shape either; new boss Nuno Espirito is yet to pick up a win since he took charge; and the Hammers are winless in their last five games.
Leeds United xG Credit: FBref
Leeds will be confident of a result at home after beating Everton and drawing against West Ham and Bournemouth. Friday night’s visitors will also be buoyed as they have won all their four points this season away from home.
West Ham form Credit: FBref
QUIZ: Can you name the team Leeds United signed these players from?
Troy Deeney gives Leeds United verdict
Daniel Farke Credit: Imago
Daniel Farke could welcome a host of players when Friday comes around, as some have recovered from their knocks and illnesses. There are no major injury concerns for the Whites at this time. Troy Deeney has been discussing the outcome when these two sides face off on Friday night on talkSport.
”Uh I think yeah is is the short answer.” when asked if both teams could go down this season
”I still think Burnley go down. I know they had a good result the weekend. I think Burnley go down.
”I think Wolves go down and then it’s out of these two for me. I think Brentford will be okay. Yeah. And I think Sunderland will be more than okay.
”These two I’m just a little bit concerned of. At the start of the season, I thought it’d be Leeds and West Ham just having enough to stay up, but it seems to be the other way around.”
Deeney also went in on Daniel Farke, maintaining his stance that he is the most under pressure manager in the league.
”I said at the start of the season I thought he was the most under pressure because of the way it ended last year.
”And obviously he has a few results and you know people on online let me know that I was wrong.
”But I still think there’s 16th it’s not something’s not right there.
”I don’t know what it is. It’s just a feeling you get when you’re there.
”And then also they have they’ve recruited to play one way which is be stronger, run over people. But in the Premier League, if you can’t score and take your chances, you’re in trouble.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin ranks third in the Premier league for most big chances missed this season (5).
Deeney is right about these two teams – but numbers are on Leeds’ side
West Ham is the worst team in the league, conceding the most goals this season (18) and scoring the second least goals so far (6). Leeds are not that far behind – the fifth worst defence having conceded 13 goals, and the joint-third worst attack having scored just seven goals so far.
Leeds and West Ham Credit: FBref
However, the difference between these two sides are their underlying numbers; expected goal difference says Leeds should be up there in the top half of the table. The Hammers on the other hand, are truly one of the worst sides – sitting at 19th place according to expected goal difference.
Both sides need the three points on Friday night, and something has to give at Elland Road.
