Leeds United are feeling the heat following back-to-back defeats, which include a tame 2-0 loss against relegation rivals Burnley last weekend. The Whites are under pressure to get a result ahead of facing West Ham at Elland Road tonight.
Daniel Farke has ignored speculation over his future at Leeds amid the poor run of form and has insisted that his side are on the right track, despite the last two defeats. However, he is acutely aware of the need for a result against the Hammers.
Most Read on The Leeds Press
West Ham have been woeful this season, and a poor home defeat against Brentford on Monday night showed that they are rightly being predicted to get relegated from the Premier League this season.
Leeds are favourites to beat a poor West Ham side at home tonight. However, that may add extra pressure with suggestions that a defeat could make Farke’s position at the club untenable.
Paul Merson’s claim suggests Leeds United are under serious pressure tonight
Merson has admitted that Leeds should beat West Ham tonight, given how poor the Hammers were at home against Brentford just a few days back.
He indicated that the Hammers would be happy to avoid a defeat at Elland Road, but stressed that the pressure is on Leeds as they must beat the away side tonight.
Merson insisted that this is the reality the two sides are facing at this early stage of the season, as this game will be consequential in the race for survival at the end of the campaign.
“I don’t think West Ham can afford to lose this game, and Leeds can’t afford not to win! If I said this at the start of the season, you’d think I’m mad because what does this even mean, right?”, Merson said in his predictions.
“An established Premier League team like West Ham and newly-promoted Leeds fighting each other for survival after just eight games? No way!
“But that is the reality now, and it shows how unpredictable things are in the Premier League. If West Ham lose this game, I don’t know what can save them. I’ve got to pick a winner now? Wow, this is hard! Only because of what I saw on Monday with West Ham, I’m going with Leeds here.
“In footballing terms, that was a really disturbing West Ham performance, and I know they can’t do any worse than that this weekend. I’m still backing Leeds, though.”
Merson is right, Leeds can’t even afford a draw tonight
The Burnley defeat has changed the outlook towards Leeds’ start to the season. They were being lauded for their grit and determination, but the lack of quality in the forward line got brutally exposed at Turf Moor.
Leeds are under pressure to win tonight as anything less than three points will bring fresh doubts about their durability in the Premier League this season.
Farke cannot afford another anaemic performance from his side at home and will hope that the Elland Road faithful will inspire them to a win over one of the worst sides of the Premier League.
A point against West Ham will not be enough, given how bad they have been this season, and it will only pile the pressure on Farke and his future at the club.
Leeds are the better team, have played better football than West Ham this season, and have shown far more grit and determination than the Hammers.
However, they must guard against the West Ham counterattacks as they will sit back against Leeds and hope to hit them on transitions throughout the game.
Leeds cannot afford to continue to miss chances and must find a way to score the goals needed to win all three points tonight.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin must step up tonight and return to the score sheet to inspire Leeds to a win over the Hammers at home.
Can you name these 10 former Leeds United goalkeepers?
Related Topics