The contrast could hardly be greater between West Ham and their opponents in the final day Premier League do or die fixture tomorrow afternoon. Leeds United, unbeaten in their last eight games, take on a Hammers side who have been defeated in all their last three encounters.
Were it mid season, you’d be expecting a Leeds win to be the outcome.
According to flashscore.comthis afternoon, the odds have moved with team news – and are now tipped towards a Hammers win: 52% as opposed to Leeds’ 25% according to their ‘live win probability’.
And this because:
“Leeds could be without eight players” according to their report:
Unfortunately, the soon-to-be 26-year-old Okafor is ruled out along with Pascal Struijk and Ilia Gruev. All of Brenden Aaronson, Jayden Bogle, Facundo Buonanotte, Anton Stach and Gabriel Gudmundssonface late fitness tests to determine their availability’.
Farke has done a remarkable job at Leeds: Eight injury doubts could impact the season finale
Nobody will be jumping for joy in West Ham’s camp: All too often this season we’ve reported on below- strength opponents arriving who’ve then proceeded to give Nuno’s side a real schooling. The fact that there is nothing hinging on the game for Leeds does make it less likely that Daniel Farke will gamble with semi-fit players ahead of the summer vacation.
All of which could just tip the scales in West Hm’s favour: With just Traore unlikely to be fit Nuno has the chance to play his best eleven for one last hurrah in front of a willing home crowd likely to be at capacity.
If the Irons don’t pull off their miracle, London Stadium will not see those kind of numbers in attendance again next season. With Jarrod Bowen’s previous club Hull City now confirmed via the play offs as the last of the trio of clubs to be promoted, (congrats to them..) it’d be ironic indeed if the Hammers – with captain Bowen – head in the opposite direction.
Miraculously, all five will probably pass their late fitness tests and once again irony, not the irons, will prevail with Hull up and Bowen down. Probably a VAR moment in there somewhere along with yet another unfathomable substitution. Whatever transpires, I will not be sorry to see the back of this season, it has been tough to watch. Good luck all.
Don’t tempt fate! As you said, Martin, you’ve reported on below- strength opponents arriving who’ve then proceeded to give Nuno’s side a real schooling. I hope our players don’t fall for the ‘weakened opposition’ trap. Furthermore, I hope Jarrod stays with us and does not return to Hull!