WEST HAM VS LEEDS: Leeds predicted Xi(4-3-3) Rodrigo and Gnonto to start in attack, Bamford & Greenwood drops to the bench as Sam Allardyce make changes in crucial relegation clash
Leeds United take on West Ham this weekend knowing that a win could massively boost their chances of survival from relegation.
After a valiant draw at home to Newcastle United last time out, the opportunity for Leeds to be buoyed by good performances isn’t there anymore, as results are the only thing that counts.
Up next for Leeds is a trip to the London Stadium to face David Moyes’ West Ham side that are coming off the back of a huge Europa Conference League triumph on Thursday night, as they beat AZ Alkmaar over two legs to book their place in the final.
Sam Allardyce will know there is a big opportunity here for Leeds to take advantage of the Irons’ potential hangover from the game, with such a brief turnaround between fixtures.
Here, we look at the lineup we think Allardyce should name for the massive clash against West Ham…
Mistakes at both ends cost Leeds three points once again last time out against Newcastle, and one of the back four is paying for his errors with suspension, as Junior Firpo misses out with a one-match ban after being given a second yellow card.
The remainder of the back four and ‘keeper will remain the same, in our opinion, with Joel Robles starting in goal, while Luke Ayling, Rasmus Kristensen and Max Wöber all keep their place, joined by Pascal Struijk at left-back – a position he is more familiar with than our other options.
In midfield, we expect another change with Sam Greenwood missing out after struggling in the first half against the Magpies, replaced by Adam Forshaw, who was one of the best players on the pitch when he came on.
Forshaw is likely to be handed a start, expected to play alongside Robin Koch and Weston McKennie, giving the latter more license to roam forward than he has been previously.
In a three-man attack, there’s a third change with Rodrigo shifting to the striker position, while Willy Gnonto replaces Patrick Bamford, and Jack Harrison keeps his spot on the left wing.
While we can sit here and praise Bamford’s work ethic and ability to connect the attack in certain moments, his finishing every game is costing Leeds vital points and he needs to be taken out of the lineup, with Rodrigo leading the line.
Leeds predicted starting Xi
Robles, Ayling, Kristensen, Wober, Struijk; McKennie, Koch, Forshaw, Harrison, Gnonto, Rodrigo
