Chris Sutton predicts result of Leeds United v West Ham showdown in Premier League for BBC Sport
Chris Sutton has predicted that Leeds United will play out a goalless draw in their Premier League clash against West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday (21 May).
The Whites arrive into the clash on the back of the 2-2 draw against Newcastle United, which left the club 18th in the Premier League and just one point behind Everton with two games of the season remaining.
Writing in his weekly predictions column for BBC Sport, Sutton admitted that despite David Moyes possibly ringing the changes in his West Ham side following their European midweek exploits, Leeds would only manage to pick up a solitary point in a 0-0 draw.
He wrote: “West Ham are essentially safe now – Southampton and Leicester cannot catch them and, while Leeds can still finish level with them on points, it would take a big swing in goal difference for Sam Allardyce’s side to go above them.
“So, Hammers boss David Moyes has been quite entitled to focus on his side’s Europa Conference League semi-final with his team selections in the past week or so, even if it has meant they have lost four of their past five Premier League games.
“I know what Big Sam is trying to do at Leeds, but he was given such a short space of time to make a difference that appointing him was a massive gamble.
“Leeds have only won two away league games all season and they probably won’t try to play much football here. The plan will be to keep West Ham out and try to nick this.
“Will it work? No, I don’t think so. I can see them getting another draw, which is not what they need.”
Pivotal match
Leeds United’s whole season could well hinge on their ability to get three points from this clash against the Hammers.
With a tricky-looking test against Spurs awaiting on the last day of the season, Sam Allardyce can relieve pressure within his ranks with a timely victory at the London Stadium.
If results were to theoretically go against them, with Everton currently a point above the Whites and Nottingham Forest three clear, the club could be relegated this weekend.
If they take this must-win approach into the game, it is only likely to help their cause.
Allardyce has a number of tricky selection dilemmas awaiting him, with Patrick Bamford lacking confidence at the tip of Leeds’ attack and Rodrigo chomping at the bit for game time. Elsewhere, whether Adam Forshaw will be fit enough to feature for a full 90 minutes is yet to be seen.
One thing is for sure, though, Leeds can’t afford to come away from East London without any points in the bag.
In other Leeds United news, Jeff Stelling has predicted the result of the pivotal Premier League clash between West Ham and the Whites.