West Ham vs Leeds United Preview: Form, H2H & Tactics
West Ham United host Leeds United on Sunday, May 24 at 15:00 in a Premier League fixture that pits two sides heading in opposite directions. The Hammers arrive in poor form with one win in their last five matches, while Leeds show resilience with three points from their last four outings. Historical advantage lies with West Ham, who have won five of the last ten meetings between these clubs, though Leeds remain competitive with three victories in that span.
Form Guide: West Ham's Struggles vs Leeds' Momentum
West Ham United's recent trajectory presents genuine concern ahead of this fixture. Their form reads LDDLL across their last five matches, indicating a side struggling for consistency and unable to string together victories. Only one win in that sequence represents a significant dip in performance, and the pattern of draws sandwiched between defeats suggests defensive vulnerabilities and an inability to capitalise on opportunities. This run comes at a critical juncture in the season, and the pressure on the squad to arrest the decline will be evident from kick-off.
Leeds United, by contrast, have demonstrated greater resilience. Their form of LWDDW shows a team that has picked up points in three of their last four matches, including a victory most recently. While the sequence includes two draws, the presence of wins bookending recent performances suggests Leeds have found a way to grind out results when needed. This upward trajectory gives the visitors genuine confidence, particularly against a West Ham side visibly lacking rhythm and cohesion in their attacking play.
Head-to-Head Record: West Ham's Historical Edge
The historical record between these two clubs favours West Ham United decisively. In the last ten meetings, the Hammers have recorded five victories compared to Leeds' three, with two draws completing the sequence. This 5-3-2 record demonstrates West Ham's superiority in this fixture over the medium term, though it is worth noting that Leeds have proven capable of taking points from these encounters. The presence of two draws in ten meetings also indicates that stalemates are not uncommon when these sides meet, suggesting tactical caution may play a role in how both teams approach the contest.
However, recent form context is crucial when interpreting head-to-head records. While West Ham's historical advantage is clear, their current run of results means they cannot rely on past success to guarantee performance. Leeds' improved form suggests they arrive at the London Stadium with a realistic chance of extending their recent upturn, particularly if they can exploit the defensive frailties evident in West Ham's recent displays.
