Leeds United know they have a big opportunity to out further daylight between themselves and the Premier League relegation pack when they take on West Ham United later this week. The Hammers have lost their last five Premier League games on the bounce and are just outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Nottingham Forest's draw with Chelsea moved Steve Cooper's side level on points with David Moyes' side, but West Ham's superior goal difference is currently enough to keep them out of the bottom three. The Hammers have not won in the Premier League since a 2-0 win over Bournemouth back in October, a run of results that has piled the pressure on Moyes.
Jesse Marsch knows just how that feels, having faced similar pressure heading into the World Cup break. However, there'll be no time for niceties when the two sides meet at Elland Road.
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A spirited first-half display against Manchester City, followed up by a resolute point on the road at high flying Newcastle, has given the Whites hope. In 2022, West Ham played 36 Premier League matches and won just 11, drawing six and losing the remaining 19 - working out at an average of 1.08 points per game.
Across a whole season, 1.08 works out at just over 41 points for a 38 game season, which last season would have seen the Hammers finish above only last season’s bottom six. Leeds know they must take advantage of West Ham's poor rut of form if they're to transform their own fortunes.
Moyes' outfit have scored just 13 goals this season, ten less than the Whites - the third worst record in the division. If Marsch's side are able to keep it tight at the back then it should boost their chances of getting a result.
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