Leeds United vs West Ham United
Elland Road, West Yorkshire
Friday, 11-12-2020 @11pm
Ref: Michael Oliver
Leeds United heads into Friday’s game unbeaten in nine meetings with West Ham United, winning five of them, since a 1-0 home defeat in November 2000. The most recent Premier League encounter between the sides came in February 2003, with hosts Leeds winning 1-0. This will be West Ham’s 50th away league trip to Leeds. They have won just six of their previous visits.
Leeds have a paucity of centre-backs, with Robin Koch out for up to three months following knee surgery and Diego Llorente nursing a muscle strain. Head coach Marcelo Bielsa has indicated Luke Ayling will deputise alongside captain Liam Cooper.
West Ham top scorer Michail Antonio is again doubtful so Sebastien Haller is expected to start up front. Ryan Fredericks is expected to be available after a three-match absence with a groin injury.
Leeds have gone four matches without a win at Elland Road, losing and drawing twice and scoring only two goals. The Whites have never lost a top-flight home game played on a Friday (W3, D6). They have lost three of their past five league fixtures, conceding at least three goals in each defeat. Leeds have conceded 20 goals in 11 league games. They let in only 35 goals in 46 Championship matches last term. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have conceded a joint league-high 11 first-half goals. Eight-goal leading scorer Patrick Bamford has only scored once at Elland Road this season.
Victory would ensure West Ham reach 20 points from 12 Premier League games for the second time. The Hammers have only lost twice in eight away league matches. They have opened the scoring in their past six league fixtures. David Moyes’ side have hit the woodwork an unrivalled eight times, once more than Leeds. The Hammers have lost their past three Premier League away games on a Friday without scoring. They have dropped a league-high 19 points from winning positions this calendar year.
The other upcoming Premier League games this weekend
Saturday, 12-12-2020
-Wolves vs Aston Villa @3:30pm
-Newcastle United vs West Bromwich Albion @6pm
-Man United vs Man City @8:30pm
-Everton vs Chelsea @11pm
Sunday, 13-12-2020
-Southampton vs Sheffield United @3pm
-Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur @5:15pm
-Fulham vs Liverpool @7:30pm
-Arsenal vs Burnley @10:15pm
-Leicester City vs Brighton and Hove Albion @10:15pm
