Exclusive: McAvennie predicts West Ham v Leeds
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie predicts West Ham to beat Leeds at the London Stadium on Monday when the two sides meeting in the Premier League.
David Moyes’ men suffered just their second league defeat of 2021 last weekend when they were beaten 2-1 by Manchester City at the Etihad.
As for Leeds, they’ve been inconsistent in their first season back in the Premier League but Marcelo Bielsa’s side is 11th in the table after also suffering defeat last time out to Aston Villa.
McAvennie has paid tribute to Bielsa for the way he’s got Patrick Bamford firing on all cylinders at Leeds this season and the ex-West Ham man expects goals on Monday night when they play against his former club.
However, he still predicts the Irons to walk out 2-1 winners.
“Leeds are a good team and I think it’s going to be a good game. There’s going to be entertainment and there are going to be goals,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“Leeds play one way. They’re cavalier. Bamford can do it, he’s proven himself so well played to him and the manager for getting him to be a top striker. He’s done well.
“It’s going to have goals in it. I think it’ll be 2-1 to West Ham.”
West Ham will once again play in front of an empty stadium on Monday.
According to The Athletic, the Premier League is planning to push back the last few fixtures of the season to ensure all clubs can have 10,000 fans inside their stadiums.
As it stands, the government is planning to allow fans to return to Premier League games on May 17 but that means only the final round of league games will have spectators.
West Ham play Southampton at home on the final day of the campaign which means that they will be able to have fans attends as long as nothing changes.
But McAvennie would like to see supporters to be able to return to all grounds before the season finishes.
He added: “The great Jock Stein said that ‘football without fans is nothing’ and it’s proven to be right. It’s great that the football is on but it’s been too long now, we need the fans back in.”
In other West Ham news, the Irons are monitoring Stuttgart striker Sasa Kaladjzic.