WHZ View: West Ham v Leeds – where the game can be won
West Ham’s clash at home against Leeds United on Monday evening makes for a very interesting clash.
The two sides have met just once in the top-flight in 19 seasons, having both spent time in the lower divisions. David Moyes’ side took all three points when they met at Elland Road. They continue to push on in the race for Europe.
Leeds, on the other hand, are so unpredictable. They’ve failed to win more than two games in a row all season. Despite this, Bielsa’s side are in 11th place, 12 points above the relegation zone and are surely safe for another season.
It’s difficult to predict what way this one will go, when Leeds seem up against it most they tend to put in a performance. West Ham Zone have looked at three areas in which the match can be won for the home side.
Set plays
When we travelled to West Yorkshire in December we won with two goals from our attacking set-pieces.
Tomas Soucek and Angelo Ogbonna headers were the perfect response going down to an early Mateusz Klich penalty.
Not only do we have the best-attacking record for freekicks and corners, Leeds actually have the worst. The Whites have conceded 12 this season from set-plays, two from us in the reverse fixture [WhoScored].
Our own high press
We were without our talisman for the match at Elland Road and missed him greatly. Moyes had no choice but to stick Haller up top, who isn’t exactly mobile to say the least. This played into Leeds’ tactics perfectly as he wasn’t able to handle their quick press.
Haller was pressed early in the first half which led to the penalty. It won’t be the same this time, however. Antonio is back in the side and looking very sharp. He bagged our goal away at the Etihad last week, and will be looking to add to his 43 overall for us in the top-flight.
The striker was a handful away to Villa, in which he assisted twice for Jesse Lingard to get his first goals for the club. Their addition will allow us to press Leeds’ backline, something we weren’t able to do in the reverse fixture. It will lead to more chances from open play for us, this time.
Rampant Raphinha
When the two sides met in December, the Brazilian was making just his seventh Premier League appearance. He was largely ineffective, but it’ll be a different story this time.
The winger has registered three goals and three assists in his last eight league games. He’s taken to the top-flight well, and is at the centre of anything Leeds muster going forward.
It will be crucial to keep him quiet. He will be looking to drive at our backline when he gains possession, having attempted 106 dribbles so far [WyScout].
In other West Ham news, can Antonio be considered a club legend at West Ham?