Prediction: Leeds vs West Ham

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 5/2

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Elland Road will host a tense Friday night showdown as Leeds United take on West Ham United in a battle between two sides struggling near the bottom of the Premier League table.

Both teams are desperate for points to ease early-season pressure, making this a high-stakes encounter under the lights.

Leeds United

Leeds sit 16th in the table with eight points from eight matches, just three clear of the relegation zone. Their return to the Premier League has been inconsistent, with two wins, two draws, and four defeats so far. Goals have been hard to come by—just seven in eight games—putting extra strain on their defence.

Daniel Farke’s men come into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Burnley, their third game without a win. Their last victory came over a month ago, a 3-1 success away to Wolves, while their only home win was a narrow 1-0 triumph over Everton on the opening day.

Leeds have shown resilience at Elland Road, losing just once in four home matches, but they need to rediscover their attacking spark.

Team News

Farke faces several selection headaches. Wilfried Gnonto and Noah Okafor remain major doubts through injury, while Harry Gray will need a late fitness check. Illness concerns surround Ethan Ampadu and Pascal Struijk, leaving their involvement uncertain.

On the positive side, Daniel James is expected to start after returning from an ankle issue, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin should continue to lead the line.

West Ham

West Ham’s struggles have been even more pronounced. The Hammers sit 19th with just four points from eight matches, having lost six times already this season. Their only win came against Nottingham Forest back in August. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Brentford last time out, marking their fourth consecutive home loss—a club record for the start of a season.

Interestingly, West Ham have been slightly better on the road, collecting all four of their points away from home.

However, their lack of consistency and defensive frailties remain glaring issues. Fans are growing restless, and another poor result could increase the pressure on Nuno ahead of a tough run of fixtures.

Team News

West Ham will be without Konstantinos Mavropanos, who picked up an injury against Brentford. Niclas Füllkrug and George Earthy remain sidelined until November.

On the brighter side, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf are set to return to the starting XI, while Tomas Soucek is poised to make his 200th Premier League appearance.

Expect Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paquetá, and Crysencio Summerville to provide the attacking threat.

Head-to-Head: Leeds Hold the Historical Edge

This will be the 112th meeting between the two clubs. Leeds have the upper hand historically, with 49 wins to West Ham’s 32, alongside 30 draws.

At Elland Road, Leeds have been dominant, winning 34 of 54 encounters. However, recent history favors West Ham—they’ve won four of the last six league meetings, including a 3-1 victory in May 2023.

The last clash at Elland Road ended in a 2-2 draw in January 2023.

Conclusion

Both teams are under pressure and struggling for form, which could make for a cagey affair.

Leeds’ home advantage and slightly better defensive record may give them a slight edge, but West Ham’s ability to pick up points on the road cannot be ignored.

Expect a tight, hard-fought contest with few clear chances. A draw seems the most likely outcome, leaving both sides still searching for momentum.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 5/2

Bookmaker: Olympusbet