Leeds United Match Preview

Well, thanks to Chelsea’s 2-1 victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur five days ago, the wait to see who will occupy the final relegation place in the Premier League table has gone to the final day and West Ham United face a home clash against newly-promoted Leeds United this afternoon, knowing that a win, coupled with a defeat for Spurs who are at home to Everton, will be enough to book a fifteenth consecutive season of top-flight football in 2026/27.

After Daniel Farke’s men had knocked Nuno Espírito Santo’s side out of the Emirates FA Cup on penalties at the start of last month, it was looking as if the Hammers wouldn’t be in this position come today, but results throughout May have shown otherwise.

It had been the case that between 11 January through to 2 May, the East Londoners had found a way to bounce back from disappointment. The Irons’ Head-Coach will certainly be hoping for a better result and performance than at St James’ Park last weekend.

In contrast to their opponents, the West Yorkshire side have gone from strength to strength when it comes to league form since booking their place at the semi-final stage of the FA Cup here and have subsequently pulled away from danger, meaning they have little to play for so, having faced them on three separate occasions already this season, the hosts are hoping that this is their time to take the points.

Neither team have an advantage in terms of preparation for this game, but the visitors go into it after coming from behind to beat Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0 in their final home game.

What a difference a year makes. At this point in 2025, Graham Potter’s side engineered a 3-1 victory away at another newly-promoted club in the shape of Ipswich Town. The pressure was off on that occasion but, almost a year later and with West Ham not in control of their own destiny, then a win is a necessity.

Espírito Santo could restore Kyle Walker-Peters to the starting line-up in place of Jean-Clair Todibo, while Callum Wilson could retain his place and play alongside Valentín Castellanos. However, Adama Traoré is still out with injury.

All today’s matches kick-off at 4pm and are also live across the Sky Sports network. Coverage from Stratford is on Sky Sports Football from 3:50pm. The referee is Anthony Taylor.