West Ham wait for a result
Having won at home to Manchester United 13 days ago, and then subsequently losing to Brentford, very little changed in terms of the landscape of the Premier League’s fight for survival.
However, heading into the weekend, while West Ham’s survival feels as good as certain, with already relegated Southampton and Leicester City both unable to catch them, as things stand, only Everton and Leeds can finish above West Ham, but both sides need perfect ends to the season to do so.
Before West Ham host a Leeds side managed by ex-Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, Wolverhampton Wanderers, whose side includes former West Ham centre-back Craig Dawson, can do the Hammers a favour.
Wolves host Everton at Molineux on Saturday and should they prevent the Toffees from picking up all three points, West Ham’s safety will be officially guaranteed.
However, if Wolves lose to the Toffees, West Ham’s game against Leeds will mean that safety will be guaranteed if they get a point or more.
With Everton five points behind West Ham, they can only catch them if they win their last two matches and West Ham lose both of theirs.
Leeds can only catch West Ham and overtake them if they win both of their last two games, West Ham lose theirs and Leeds overturn the current 11-goal difference in West Ham’s favour.
By Simon Leyland