Daniel Farke faces one of the most important games of his career as Leeds United manager as West Ham travel to Elland Road in the Premier League.
Having guided Leeds to promotion from the Championship, Daniel Farke is now tasked with maintaining their Premier League status in a competitive division.
While Leeds have made a strong start to the season, the demoralising defeat against Burnley has increased the pressure on Farke, as he looks to coax a response out of his side.
Leeds face a West Ham side who are low on confidence, after they slumped to a fourth consecutive home defeat against Brentford to remain firmly in the bottom three.
However, Farke will need to overcome Leeds’ unwanted Elland Road record against West Ham if they are to get back on the horse with a victory.
Rodrigo shoots during Leeds United v West Ham United - Premier League
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Leeds United have a poor recent home record against West Ham
Farke is expected to make several changes to the Leeds side that slumped to a chastening defeat against Burnley, for Friday’s game against West Ham.
However, according to 11v11, Leeds will have to end an unwanted 20-year record to claim all three points in the must-win encounter.
Leeds last beat West Ham at Elland Road in February 2005 as Kevin Blackwell attempted to rebuild from the financial meltdown suffered in the Peter Ridsdale era.
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Leeds’ winless run against West Ham at Elland Road
17/03/2012 – Leeds 1-1 West Ham
11/12/2020 – Leeds 1-2 West Ham
25/09/2021 – Leeds 1-2 West Ham
04/03/2023 – Leeds 2-2 West Ham
Since then, Leeds have only played four home games against the Hammers, drawing two and losing two.
West Ham ended a run of five consecutive Premier League defeats on their last visit to Elland Road in 2023, as Rodrigo Moreno scored a 70th-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw.
Shaun Derry celebrates his goal during Leeds United v West Ham United
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Shaun Derry scored the winner in Leeds’ last Elland Road win vs West Ham
The backdrop to Leeds’ 2005 meeting with West Ham could hardly have been more different, as the Whites attempted to come to terms with life in the Championship.
Having been made favourites to drop straight down into League One, Blackwell managed to steady the ship at Elland Road, guiding a rag-tag squad of misfits, free transfers and loan signings to a respectable mid-table finish.
Leeds reached the magical 50-point mark against West Ham, ensuring their survival in the second tier, after Rob Hulse opened the scoring with a trademark bullet header.
Veteran forward Teddy Sheringham set up Gavin Williams for West Ham’s equaliser and Matty Etherington hit the post with a free-kick before Shaun Derry produced a smart late finish to hand Leeds the points.