As Friday night’s Premier League showdown between Leeds United and West Ham United draws near, excitement is building for this clash at Elland Road. Both teams are hoping to turn their fortunes around after a shaky start to the season.
To kick things off, let’s take a quick look at the current standings. West Ham finds themselves in a tricky spot, sitting at 19th in the Premier League table. They’re coming into this match on the heels of a disappointing 2-0 loss to Brentford, which surely has left them eager to grab some much-needed points. On the other hand, Leeds United is hanging in 16th place, having suffered their own 2-0 defeat against Burnley recently. It’s safe to say both teams are ready to shake off those losses and reclaim their momentum.
Now, let’s dive into the interesting history between these two clubs. When Leeds United and West Ham meet on the pitch, you can expect sparks to fly. They’ve faced each other a whopping 111 times across all competitions, with Leeds holding a slight edge. Out of those encounters, Leeds has snagged 49 victories, while West Ham has won 32 times, and there have been 30 draws sprinkled in between.
The rivalry dates back to January 1921, when the two teams first clashed in Division Two. Can you believe West Ham took that initial match 2-1? Fast forward to the Premier League era, and the teams have gone head-to-head 26 times — Leeds has racked up 16 wins, with West Ham managing six. Not to mention, in their latest meeting at the London Stadium, the Hammers topped Leeds 3-1, but when they last met at Elland Road in January 2023, it was a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Interestingly, while West Ham has claimed four out of the last six league confrontations, Leeds has also shown their mettle by winning four of the last nine encounters. Talk about a tug-of-war! Both clubs have even enjoyed three-game winning streaks against one another recently, keeping the rivalry fresh and fierce.
When you think about the players who made their mark in these meetings, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lee Bowyer are tied as the top scorers in the Premier League era, each netting four goals against the other. However, for historical bragging rights, Peter Lorimer steals the show with eight goals scored against West Ham during his time at Leeds.
Looking at their last 20 meetings, the matches have been a mix of triumph and heartbreak. Here’s a quick recap of the last handful:
- May 21, 2023: West Ham United 3-1 Leeds United (Premier League)
- Jan 04, 2023: Leeds United 2-2 West Ham United (Premier League)
- Jan 16, 2022: West Ham United 2-3 Leeds United (Premier League)
- Jan 09, 2022: West Ham United 2-0 Leeds United (FA Cup)
There’s quite a pattern when it comes to their recent Premier League meetings too. Here’s what’s gone down:
- May 21, 2023: West Ham United won 3-1.
- Jan 04, 2023: They battled to a 2-2 draw.
- Jan 16, 2022: Leeds pulled off an impressive 3-2 victory.
As the tension builds and fans prepare for a vibrant atmosphere at Elland Road, both teams are undoubtedly eager to prove themselves. Will West Ham dig deep to escape the relegation zone, or can Leeds capitalize on home advantage and string together a winning streak? Will the bright, passionate crowd support spark a fierce performance from either side?
We’ll find out soon enough when the whistle blows on this thrilling encounter. Get your snacks ready, folks. It’s bound to be a match worth watching!
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