West Ham United welcome Leeds United to London Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the game which could ultimately decide the club’s Premier League future. Of course, it’s a little more complicated than that given that we’ll need former boss David Moyes to do us a favour against Tottenham as well.
But Daniel Farke’s team travel to East London having enjoyed a remarkable return to the top flight and hopefully with something of a hangover. Not a metaphorical one either. Leeds reportedly held their end-of-season celebrations earlier this week so maybe there was plenty of booze and some questionable lasagne consumed during the festivities.
That said, the Yorkshire club have been decimated by injury and will have several replacements playing on Sunday.
West Ham facing winner-takes-all afternoon
The Hammers head into the final day sat 18th in the table, two points behind Tottenham Hotspur and knowing there is only one outcome which gives us any chance of survival.
Nuno’s side simply have to beat Leeds United and hope Everton can take points off Spurs in north London. Anything less and West Ham’s fate is sealed.
A draw for Tottenham combined with a West Ham victory would leave both clubs level on points, but the Hammers have a horrendous goal difference s it’s not even worth thinking about.
That means the equation is brutally simple. West Ham must win and so must Everton.
Leeds arrive safe and in decent form
Farke has done a remarkable job at Leeds
Leeds make the trip south with the pressure completely off after securing survival in their first season back in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke’s side are unbeaten in their last eight league games and have quietly pieced together a strong finish to the campaign. Four wins from their last six matches has lifted them to 14th place and they will arrive at London Stadium full of confidence.
There are some injury concerns for the visitors though. Ilia Gruev and Pascal Struijk are expected to miss out, while Anton Stach remains a doubt. Noah Okafor, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Brenden Aaronson, Facundo Buonanotte and Jayden Bogle are all battling to be fit.
Speaking in todays press conference, Farke said: “Gruev is still out, Gudmundsson is still out, Noah Okafor is still out, Struijk back in training, hopefully available. Bogle is back in training, could be available. Anton [Stach], a bit mixed news, he is not available for this game. Longstaff is out.”
Nuno expected to ditch failed experiment
After the tactical mess against Newcastle United, I suspect Nuno will abandon the back three and revert to a more conventional back four.
Personally, I’d switch back to Alphonse Areola in goal, but I’d be surprised if that happens. The good news for West Ham is that the squad is expected to be fully fit, with Adama Traore returning to light training this week.
Predicted West Ham XI:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Hermansen |
| RB | Wan Bissaka |
| CB | Mavropanos |
| CB | Disasi |
| LB | Diouf |
| CM | Souček |
| CM | Fernandes |
| LW | Summerville |
| RW | Bowen |
| CF | Castellanos |
| CF | Pablo |
Prediction
I think West Ham will win this one 2-0.
The bigger problem is what happens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium because survival is now just as dependent on Everton doing us a favour as it is on our own performance.
West Ham need to win and Tottenham need to lose. It really is that simple.
Can’t bank on Moyes getting anything unfortunately . They lost 3 nil against spurs in the reverse fixture.
Providing whu play a conventional team (no tinkering) Leeds are beatable with their injuries.
Spurs have a terrible home record not having won since start of December 2025
Watched videos and Spurs fans are not confident of beating Everton.
Everton have had good form recently and Moyes will want to finish strong.
COYI
Yes to your predicted team Gonzo. Has to be the way to go. Maybe Walker-Peters instead of AWB but either way 2:0 looks a good shout.
COYI
Spurs will draw, West Ham will win. That disallowed allowed goal at Arsenal will disgrace the officials that they took the survival of the club away from us.
Nuno should seriously consider Areola in goal.
It won’t be enough for West Ham to win and Everton avoid defeat Gonzo, Everton have to win as well
I know Morty, it was a typo mate